46 Dinnington and Maltby Guardian Friday 27th March 2009
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Millers left shattered EFE Sodje’s last gasp equaliser shattered Rotherham hearts in an exciting end to what was, for the most part, a drab and dreary encounter. After 83 minutes of end-toend football the deadlock was broken from the penalty spot, after Bury’s Steven Haslam was adjudged to have hauled down Drewe Broughton.
The in-form Reuben Reid slotted the penalty home for his seventh goal in five matches, only for United to be pegged back by a late Bury revival at a soggy Don Valley Stadium. The fixture started in clear conditions with the Shakers almost taking the lead in the sixth minute, Michael Jones coming close. Bury were looking the most likely to score early on as their midfield’s short, sharp passing pressured the Millers defence but struggled in the swirling winds. The first real opportunity of the match came in the 26th minute. Bury’s Andy Bishop met a delightful cross with a powerful header, only for it to be fantastically saved by Millers keeper Andy Warrington. Moments later, at the other end, Jamie Clarke, Drewe Broughton and Mark Hudson linked well, with the latter striking a fierce shot from outside the box that just snuck wide. As the rain tipped down only a goalline clearance prevented Ian Sharps breaking the deadlock for the home side, before Bury had a chance of their
Millers 1 Bury 1
Reuben Reid nets from the spot
by Simon Peach at Don Valley
own. A clever step over by Stephen Dawson presented Andy Bishop with a shooting chance, but yet again Warrington saved well. The conditions didn’t improve after the break. And neither did the football. Jamie Clarke came off for Rotherham to be replaced by the physical presence of Ryan Taylor. But even he struggled. Neither side really managed to take a stranglehold of the match in the conditions as chances came and went at both ends. The first clear-cut chance of the half came in the 71st minute when the impressive Bishop broke free and chipped former Bury keeper Warrington. However, the ever-reliable veteran scrambled back to prevent the ball crossing the line. As the conditions worsened, both teams made attacking substitutions before a final 10 minutes that can only be described as manic. In three minutes, Taylor somehow blazed over in the six-yard box for Rotherham before Bury debutant Phil Jevons had his shot well blocked by Ian Sharps. Then came the penalty. After much confusion in the press box to why referee Jon Moss awarded the penalty, he confirmed after the match it was for a tug by Haslam on Broughton.
Millers 3 Chesterfield 0
by Simon Peach at Don Valley
game calmed down with both sides failing to take a hold of the match. As the fixture descended into a tight midfield affair a precise pass from Jared Wilson found Lester unmarked in the 30th minute. But yet again Warrington rose to the challenge producing a great save to deny him. But two minutes later the ball was in the back of the net. Former Rotherham full back Gregor Robertson whipped in a right sided free kick to Aaron Downes who slotted home with ease. But he, and the raucous 1,505 following fans, were left aghast as the goal was ruled out for offside. After the Millers used their proverbial ‘get out of jail free’ card, they jolted into action and took the lead seven minutes before halftime. The impressive Micky Cummins played in Reuben Reid who proceeded to cut in from the right
Team Brentford Rochdale Gillingham Wycombe W Bury Exeter City Shrewsbury T Bradford City Dagenham & R Chesterfield Morecambe Darlington Lincoln City Aldershot Town Rotherham Utd Accrington S Notts County Port Vale Macclesfield T Barnet Bournemouth Grimsby Town Chester City Luton Town
P 38 38 39 37 39 38 39 39 38 36 38 38 37 37 36 39 39 37 38 37 39 39 39 38
W 19 18 18 16 17 17 15 16 14 14 12 17 12 13 17 11 10 12 11 8 13 6 6 12
D 13 10 10 15 12 10 14 10 11 10 16 9 12 8 10 10 13 5 6 12 12 12 11 13
L 6 10 11 6 10 11 10 13 13 12 10 12 13 16 9 18 16 20 21 17 14 21 22 13
F 52 65 53 43 53 54 53 58 60 54 44 52 47 52 49 40 44 39 39 46 47 43 37 52
A 29 45 50 26 39 44 37 48 44 49 44 36 46 68 33 52 57 56 68 66 47 65 72 55
Pts 70 64 64 63 63 61 59 58 53 52 52 50 48 47 44 43 43 41 39 36 34 30 29 19
FIXTURES
And despite choruses from the away support of ‘Wayne Brown is Superman,’ the Bury goalkeeper failed to live up to the billing as Reuben Reid sent him the wrong way. Reid’s goal should have resulted in the Millers collecting their 23rd point out of 30. But it wasn’t to be. Bury had dominated the clash and got their just reward in the dying moments. As three minutes of stoppage time were announced over the tannoy, Bishop saw his shot parried wide by Warrington. Rotherham fans waited with baited breath as the corner swung in, only for Sodje to confirm their fears, towering in an unstoppable header at the death.
MATCH FACTS
Score: Rotherham Utd 1 Bury 1 Rotherham: Warrington, Tonge, Sharps, Fenton, Green, Cummins (J Taylor 72), Mills, Hudson, Broughton, Clarke (R Taylor 46), Reid. Subs Not Used: Cann, Burchill, Joseph. Booked: Green. Goals: Reid (83 pen) Bury: Brown, Haslam, Futcher, Sodje, Buchanan, Bennett, Jones, Dawson, Barry-Murphy, Hurst (Jevons 66), Bishop (Morrell 78). Not Used: Baker, Racchi, Rouse. Booked: Jevons, Haslam. Goal: Sodje (90) Attendance: 2,890
STATISTICS Possession Corners Shots (On) Shots (Off) Fouls
Millers 45% 7 4 3 13
Bury 55% 2 8 2 12
Reid brace secures superb victory A REUBEN REID brace helped Rotherham United to secure a superb 3-0 victory against in-form Chesterfield on Saturday. The match was the second of four consecutive home games for the Millers, who had lost their previous fixture to Aldershot Town. However, Reid’s two goals coupled with a 20-yard pile driver from Mills helped the home side return to winning ways. The match started at a frantic pace with both sides playing with attacking intent. The Spireites came into Saturday’s match on the back of a six match unbeaten run and almost took the lead in the tenth minute. After some neat interplay, Jack Lester found the ball at his feet, but his low drive was well held by keeper Andy Warrington. After Warrington’s save the Millers galloped forward and moments later Jamie Clarke saw his shot saved well saved by keeper Tommy Lee. The end-to-end football continued when Chesterfield’s Jamie Lowry crossed in for Martin Gritton, who side footed wide when it looked easier to score. Despite the frenzied opening, the
LEAGUE TWO
and tuck the ball into the bottom corner. Despite a late Lewis Montrose effort, against the run of play, the visitors went in at half-time behind After the break the Millers kicked on looking to extend their lead. Mark Hudson and Jamie Clarke came close for the home side before Reid grabbed his second of the match, ten minutes after the restart. A long ball was flicked over the static Chesterfield defence by target man Drewe Broughton to Reid who adroitly lobbed the ball over the despairing keeper to make it 2-0. As the home fans celebrated around the Don Valley it was clear that the away side had been visibly shellshocked by the goal. Despite Warrington being called into action to stop shots from both Robertson and Lester, the Spireites frustrations boiled over when Drew Talbot was sent off. A rash challenge on Dale Tonge in the 79th minute earned him a second yellow and a rendition of “Cheerio, Cheerio, Cheerio” as he left the field. With a full compliment of Chesterfield players struggling against the on song Millers, only having ten men for the last ten minutes meant a third goal was
inevitable. And it came courtesy of a vicious 20yard drive from captain Pablo Mills who found space on the edge of the box after a corner was only partially cleared. At the final whistle the superb win put a smile on manager Mark Robins’ face, but the injury to Jamie Green didn’t. The exciting left sided prospect was forced off eight minutes from time with an ankle injury.
MATCH FACTS
Rotherham: Warrington 7, Tonge 6, Sharps 7, Fenton 8, Green 6 (Joseph 82), Clarke 6 (Ryan Taylor 57), Cummins 8, Mills 8, Hudson 7 (Jason Taylor 87), Reid 8, Broughton 7. Subs Not Used: Cann, Burchill. Booked: Tonge, Hudson Goals: Reid 38, 55, Mills 83. Chesterfield: Lee, Wilson, Hall, Downes (Austin 45), Robertson, Lowry, Niven, Montrose (Till 73), Talbot, Lester, Gritton (Currie 84). Subs Not Used: Kerry, Gray. Booked: Talbot Sent Off: Talbot Attendance: 4,658 Man of the Match: Reuben Reid
STATISTICS Possession Corners Shots (On) Shots (Off) Fouls
Millers 47% 5 6 4 10
Aldershot 53% 8 5 5 11
Date
Time
Opponents
Venue Comp
Sat 28 Mar
3pm
Accrington S
H
L2
Tues 31 Mar 7.45pm
Luton
A
L2
Sat 4 April
3pm
Aldershot
A
L2
Sat 11 April
3pm
Notts County
H
L2
Mon 13 April 3pm
Port Vale
A
L2
Sat 18 April
3pm
Shrewsbury
H
L2
Sat 25 April
3pm
Bradford
A
L2
Sat 2 May
3pm
Exeter
H
L2
The apple of my eye! AS the teams trudged off for their halftime oranges against Chesterfield they were replaced by life-sized replicas. Various different fruits and vegetables lined-up for a six-a-side match on the hallowed Don Valley turf at the weekend. But that wasn’t the most surreal experience. Rotherham managed to go in at half-time looking second best yet somehow triumphed 3-0 against promotion chasing Chesterfield. They almost pulled off the same trick a few days later against Bury, only for a late header to spoil the party. But how are Rotherham doing it? Well, the defensive pear of Sharpe and Fenton are cutting out any defensive leaks at the back, providing a strong base for the team to build on. The attackers are leaving a sweet taste too, scoring hatfuls over the past 10 games. Reuben Reid, in particular, is frequently leaving opposition keepers looking like gooseberries, scoring some absolute peaches. And, most importantly, Mark Robins is proving to be no turnip, as he continues to the side with a-plumb as his side continue to defy the drop. Oh, and in case you were wondering, the fruits won 3-0. The Musing Miller