46 Dinnington and Maltby Guardian Friday 1st May 2009
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Millers no match for City
THEY say it’s all about players and it is. But this win was all about a manager and what has been going on around him and the effect it all had.
Bradford 3 Millers 0
LEAGUE TWO
by Les Payne
sport@worksop-guardian.co.uk
McCall came out to rapturous applause, with banners proclaiming for Life.’ The build-up in Rotherham can certainly say ‘Stuart Bradford – 12,000 season-ticketthey were pointed towards the holders, note – had been going on all exit door by a controversial week and this was the climax. They weren’t going to mug one of and, seemingly, incorrect their own legends and as the game decision over the first goal (the kicked off thousands all round the sort that certainly calls for ground stood up waving cards bearing after-match clarification from a SOS – Save Our Stu. The feeling cascaded down on to the referee not that we’ll ever get pitch where City’s players were such an explanation). bursting with energy and drive and But this defeat was all set up by the purpose to show the gaffer how much response all round to that good egg, they loved him. Nine games without a Stuart McCall, and the possibility he might be leaving as Bradford boss only win – you wouldn’t have known it. In such circumstances the last thing two years after taking over. the Millers needed was concession of You could say he started it with his ‘I’m leaving if we don’t make the play- an early goal. In just 12 minutes, the buzzing Bantams were in front offs’ remark several weeks ago as following a corner. things began to slide. Had the 15-yard shot from Well, it seems this week, as impressive midfielder Dean Furman uncertainty grew over what might gone straight in I would have argued it happen, everybody from Obama downwards had been writing, phoning, should stand even if Peter Thorne was in an offside position as it passed him. e-mailing – even Sir Alex Ferguson – But it didn’t pass him, it diverted off telling him not to be so daft. Even, in the disappointing throes of his shins, and he was offside and defeat, Millers boss Mark Robins shook possibly in front of Andy Warrington as well. his hand and whispered in his ear: Rotherham’s protesting was stronger ‘Don’t be a nugget, you’ve only been in than anything seen this season but, it two minutes.’ although ref Andy Hall spoke to his So, all things considered, it doesn’t linesman, the goal stood. Mentally, I even have to be smart money on don’t really think Rotherham got over McCall staying on. The reception and their anger and frustration for the rest response beforehand got the message of the game.They should have been across and set City players up for a performance too much for the Millers. two down three minutes later but
Millers’ Ryan Taylor battles his way through the Bradford defence
Nicky Law fired over a great chance after Warrington made the first of his fine saves from a Thorne header. Perhaps a key moment – and the chance to deflate a bouyant Valley Parade – came on 19 minutes when Reuben Reid was put clear. He saw the opportunity to lift his shot over the well-advanced Rhys Evans but mishit and struck it against the keeper’s legs. City, livelier and quicker, were certainly lifted by all that had gone on and having the lead too, and they doubled it on 32 minutes. Law slipped past Marc Joseph out on the right and his hard, low centre was rattled in superbly at the near post by Thorne, a serial scorer again Rotherham throughout his career. Nick Fenton, who nearly equalised earlier, was denied by a double block in front of an empty net after Jamie Green’s shot had been pushed out but
it needed a super save by Warrington to prevent a third in stoppage time when Thorne looked sure to score. So, the second half was gamechasing for Rotherham who were in a one-off all-white strip due to a colour clash. Just before the hour, Robins switched from 3-5-2 to the more usual formation by sending on Mark Hudson and Drewe Broughton. But it didn’t stop striker Steve Jones catching the Millers out with some real speedy stuff and Rotherham had Warrington to thank for not being routed. He turned over a Jones effort and from the corner did likewise from a Kyle Nix 22-yarder. Then he got across to foil Jones when he looked sure to knock home Thorne's inviting pass. After Hudson had forced Evans to a full-length effort as Rotherham strove hard to get back into it, Warrington
Team Brentford Wycombe Exeter City Bury Gillingham Rochdale Dagenham Shrewsbury Bradford City Chesterfield Morecambe Darlington Lincoln City Rotherham Utd Aldershot Town Accrington Barnet FC Macclesfield Port Vale Notts County Bournemouth Grimsby Town Chester City Luton Town
P 45 45 45 45 45 45 45 45 45 45 45 45 45 45 45 45 45 45 45 45 45 45 45 45
W 22 20 21 20 20 19 19 16 17 16 15 19 14 21 13 13 11 13 12 10 16 9 8 13
D 16 18 13 15 12 13 11 18 13 15 18 12 17 12 12 11 15 7 9 14 12 13 13 17
L 7 7 11 10 13 13 15 11 15 14 12 14 14 12 20 21 19 25 24 21 17 23 24 15
F 63 53 64 62 57 70 76 59 64 62 53 59 53 60 57 42 55 45 42 47 55 51 42 58
A 36 31 50 43 55 58 51 43 55 55 52 43 50 45 80 58 72 77 65 68 51 69 79 63
P 82 78 76 75 72 70 68 66 64 63 63 59 59 58 51 50 48 46 45 44 43 40 37 26
produced his best yet. Firstly he diverted away Joe Colbeck’s shot beyond the far post. Thorne looked a cert for his hat-trick and got the ball back in from an angle only for Warrington to dive back and grab the ball right on the line. leaving everyone puzzled as to how he prevented a goal. Respite was brief. With 18 minutes left, the speedy Jones raced away once too often to lash in the third and what has been a magnificent Millers away campaign – just look at the figures – ended, in view of that record, rather undeservedly in a manner like this, although they could have no complaints about this result itself. The beach beckons, although one suspects, in view of everything that hinges on Exeter's visit next week – which includes a possible helping hand to promotion for ex-Millers boss Alan Knill – it won’t be a quiet finale.
Boss has improved me, says Reuben Reid PLYMOUTH Argyle, Kidderminster Harriers, Rochdale, Torquay United, Wycombe Wanderers, Brentford and now Rotherham United. For a 30 something, nomadic lower league journeyman this is a career path that wouldn’t raise many eyebrows. But this is not your typical journeyman. Reuben Reid, pictured, is a hugely talented 20-year-old with pace, strength and skill to boot. As well as earning plaudits across South Yorkshire, he has begun to receive higher praise. Ten goals in as many games earned him the Player of the Month award for March as he continues to show his undisputed talent. But the pacey young Bristolian had a tumultuous start to a career that began with such promise. Trials at Crystal Palace and Manchester United never came to anything, but he did eventually sign for up-and-coming Plymouth. Despite making his debut for them as a precocious 17-year-old, he never managed to hold down a first team place, and last summer he was released. Things looked grim for Reid but, following numerous trials, he
by Simon Peach
sport@worksop-guardian.co.uk signed for the Millers. Under the tutelage of manager Mark Robins he has not only found a place in the first team, but goals too. “I’ve come here and Mark Robins was a striker himself. He’s added a lot of things to my game,” said Reid, fresh from another goal-scoring performance. “The best thing is that he’s been playing me.” “No other manager has given me that opportunity and I’ve had a chance to shine.” “Hopefully I can repay the faith he has shown in me by scoring goals.” That he has. Blessed with natural skill, the striker looks a cut above the majority of strikers in League Two. So much so, that the young striker is still in with a chance of picking up the division’s top scorer award, despite a barren spell. “I’m up there now and I’m within contact,” he said. “There are a few lads up there around the 20 mark but you never know what will happen. We’ve got a few games left and, hopefully, if I keep scoring I
can get there.” Despite his scoring prowess, Reid had struggled to make a mark at a club before making the move to the Millers. But 18 goals in 38 games this season has seen him become a mainstay in one of the best teams in the division, on and off the field. “I’ve come here at the start of the season and it’s a very good changing room,” he said “Probably the most welcoming changing rooms I’ve ever been in.” “So, it wasn’t hard for me to settle
down, feel welcome and part of the team. Hopefully next season we can continue having a successful season, and hopefully push for promotion.” If it wasn’t for a 17-point deduction at the start of the season the Millers would have been promoted, thanks in no small part to Reuben’s goals. But what has started this surge of goals? “I think I’ve been seeing a lot more of the ball recently,” he said. “I think, on the whole, if you look at the results we’ve been getting, we’ve been winning so the team is playing well.” “I’ve obviously been putting the ball in the net but that’s a reflection on how the team is doing.” Having been on the cusp of becoming a professional cricketer at Gloucestershire, his decision to choose football is beginning to pay off. And, despite his abundant promise, he is happy where he is. “I’m not one to make targets or look to the future,” he said. “All I want is to be playing football – playing football well for a successful team.” “Enjoying my football, that’ll be best for me.” A simple mantra for a player who has had to fight so hard to get where he is today.
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