46 Dinnington and Maltby Guardian Friday 3rd April 2009
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Millers on the march ROTHERHAM United’s attacking prowess earned them a superb victory against a dogged Luton Town in a passionate midweek clash.
Luton 2 Millers 4
by Simon Peach at Kenilworth Road
When the game continued the effervescent Kevin Gallen came close for the home side before Reid almost grabbed his second of the game at the other end. The physical Broughton was upsetting the home support and players with his rumbustious style. And he upset them further when However, Reuben Reid’s finish, doubling Rotherham’s lead by slipping Drewe Broughton’s stretch, Danny the ball under Luton keeper Dean Brill Harrison’s header and substitute Mark in the 38th minute. Hudson’s drive helped Rotherham to The two-goal advantage, however, what proved to be an unassailable was short-lived when a Craddock’s lead. cross found Martin free once more. But The fixture, which had it not been this time he found the top corner of the for defeat to Scunthorpe could have net. been repeated at Wembley this Sunday, But Luton, who started the game was a high octane affair from the offset nine points adrift at the bottom of as the home fans roared Luton on from League Two, went further behind eight their quaint yet unusual ground. minutes after the restart when Sustained pressure from the Hatters Rotherham’s only corner of game almost resulted in an early goal when a squirmed out to Danny Harrison who cross from Tom Craddock found Chris struck home from 18-yards. Martin unmarked at the back post. But Despite the scoreline suggesting his header went wide. otherwise, it was Luton who continued Undeterred, Luton continued to to press. press forward looking for the elusive And in the 70th minute they reduced goal that would help keep their faint the deficit to one goal, when Asa Hall’s hopes of remaining in the Football superb turn and shot snuck into the League alive. bottom right hand corner. Reuben Reid, though, had not read The introduction of Sam Parkin for the script. the Hatters changed the dynamics up The rapid striker broke free of front, but it wasn’t enough to prevent George Pilkington, then Keith Keane, further charges from Rotherham. before rifling home in front of the Dale Tonge saw his crashing drive travelling support just 11 minutes in. rebound off the goal frame before the The goal, against the run of play, Millers made it 4-2. only served to further fray tensions on After a Luton attack broke down, the the field. And things boiled over when visitors scurried forward on the Warrington was taken out after counter-attack through Reid before claiming a ball, with Martin and Pablo laying it to the overlapping Hudson, Mills both receiving bookings for their who thumped the ball past Brill to parts. secure the win.
The defeat almost certainly consigns Luton, a side hit by the FA with a 30-point deduction at the start of the season, to relegation despite dictating most of the game at Kenilworth Road.
Millers 0 Accrington 0
by Simon Peach at Don Valley
they produced the best chance of the half in the 22nd minute. Reuben Reid’s galloping run forward gave him the opportunity to shoot. But his impressive 15yard drive was met by an even more impressive save from keeper Arthur. As the half progressed Accrington looked increasingly dangerous on the break. And worse news for the Millers came when left-back Jamie Green was forced off after sustaining a dead leg. Marc Joseph deputised well at the back, but Stanley almost broke the deadlock moments later when John Miles’ smashed shot was just stopped by Andy Warrington.
Team Brentford Bury Rochdale Wycombe Exeter City Gillingham Shrewsbury Bradford City Chesterfield Dagenham Darlington Lincoln City Morecambe Rotherham Aldershot Accrington Notts County Port Vale Macclesfield Barnet Bournemouth Grimsby Chester Luton
P 39 40 40 39 40 40 40 40 39 39 39 39 39 38 39 40 40 39 40 39 40 40 40 40
W 19 18 18 16 18 18 15 16 16 15 18 13 12 18 13 11 10 12 11 8 13 7 6 13
D 14 12 11 17 11 11 15 11 11 11 9 13 16 11 9 11 14 5 6 13 12 12 12 13
L 6 10 11 6 11 11 10 13 12 13 12 13 11 9 17 18 16 22 23 18 15 21 22 14
F 53 54 67 45 57 54 54 58 60 62 53 49 45 53 53 40 45 40 40 47 47 44 37 56
A 30 39 50 28 46 51 38 48 51 45 36 47 46 35 70 52 58 59 71 68 48 65 72 60
Pts 71 66 65 65 65 65 60 59 59 56 53 52 52 48 48 44 44 41 39 37 34 33 30 22
FIXTURES
MATCH FACTS
All smiles – Reuben Reid celebrates with Jason Taylor
United manager Mark Robins said that despite being safe from relegation, his side won’t rest on their laurels in the final run in. “There’s no feeling of job done. I’ve said it before and I’ve said it all week, if anybody’s feeling like that they won’t play,” he said. “It’s as simple as that. They’ve got a duty to people who pay money to come and perform.” “And they’ve got families to feed. We’re in a recession and they’ve got contracts to earn.” He added: “The lads have done really well but there are one or two signs of a little bit of fatigue.” “I motivate my players in the way I always do. I’ve mentioned four reasons why they have to be motivated.”
Score: Luton 2 Rotherham Utd 4 Luton: Brill, Keane, Pilkington, Bower, Emanuel (Parkin 79), Nicholls, Livermore, Hall, Martin, Craddock, Gallen. Subs Not Used: Davis, Henderson, Asafu-Adjaye, Jarvis Booked: Martin Goals: Martin 42, Hall 70 Rotherham: Warrington, Tonge 7, Sharps 8, Fenton 7, Joseph 7, Danny Harrison 7, Reid 8, Mills 8, Jason Taylor 7, Burchill 6 (Hudson), Broughton 8 (Ryan Taylor). Subs Not Used: Cann, Nicholas, Clarke Booked: Martin. Goals: Reid 11, Broughton 38, Danny Harrison 53, Hudson 87 Attendance: 5,975
STATISTICS Possession Corners Shots (On) Shots (Off) Fouls
Luton 56% 13 9 4 10
Millers 44% 1 6 2 5
United cannot beat Accies keeper DESPITE the terrible playing conditions Rotherham United held on to gain a deserved point from a drab encounter with Accrington Stanley. Rotherham looked jaded after playing so many fixtures recently but it was only the fine form of Accies keeper Kenny Arthur that prevented the home side taking all three points. Swirling winds at the Don Valley Stadium made it nigh on impossible for either side to play good football, resulting in a frustrating encounter. Unfortunately for the home fans, who were huddled together in the Main Stand, their side were the poorer of the two in the first half. Accrington, in their garish yellow away strip, dominated and got their first chance after Craig Lindfield found space in the penalty area, but the on-loan Liverpool striker could only blaze his effort high and wide. Despite the Millers looking weary
LEAGUE TWO
After a well-deserved half-time break, the fans returned to their seats to face the Arctic conditions once more. As for the players, it looked like Rotherham were still yearning to be in the warm confines of the dressing room. Stanley should have taken the lead after the re-start but an unmarked Lindfield somehow blazed wide from six yards out. As the visitors pushed forward Michael Symes had several chances to take the lead but Andy Warrington in the Rotherham net held firm. At the other end, Ryan Taylor spurned a chance to take the lead when shooting wide before he then had an even better strike stopped by the inspired goalkeeping of Arthur, who punched away his fierce drive. As Stanley closed ranks in the last quarter of an hour, to ensure themselves a point, the Millers found space to work in.
However, the closest they came was substitute Ryan Taylor’s curling shot that was palmed wide of the post by Arthur, as play was drawn to a close. All in all, this was a disappointing game for the fans.
MATCH FACTS
Rotherham: Warrington 7, Tonge 6, Sharps 5, Fenton 7, Green 5 (Joseph 27), Ryan Taylor 6, Mills 6, Hudson 7, Cummins 6 (Jason Taylor 7), Broughton 5 (Burchill 6), Reid 6 Subs Not Used: Cann, Clarke Booked: Broughton, Mills. Accrington Stanley: Arthur, Edwards, Murdock, Charnock, Williams, Turner, Ryan, Procter, Miles, Symes, Lindfield Subs Not Used: Hibbert, Kay, Mullin, Grant, Bell Attendance: 2,804 Referee: Anthony Taylor (Greater Manchester)
STATISTICS Possession Corners Shots (On) Shots (Off) Fouls
Millers 53% 8 5 4 11
Accrington 47% 8 3 4 12
Date
Time
Opponents
Venue Comp
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
Accrington milk their resources ACCRINGTON Stanley, who are they? Well, they are a better side than I gave them credit for, that’s for sure. The famous milk advert from 1980s still lingers over the Lancashire outfit like a bad odour. But rather than seeing it as a hindrance, it has instead helped them establish their place in the Football League. After the club famously collapsed in the Sixties, it took them 45 seasons to eventually return. And when they did it was based on a hard working squad, who mainly emanated from Merseyside. The two lads in the notorious advert had thick Scouse accents. As did six of Saturday’s starting line-up against the Millers. And so did their manager John Coleman. Despite having the lowest home attendances in the entire Football League, it seems the team has really pulled together under Coleman. He has produced a hard-working outfit, with a never-say-die attitude, milking what limited resources he has extremely well. And those left with a sour taste in their mouth at the match on Saturday will now be able to tell you exactly who this diminutive yet well-renowned club are. The Musing Miller