Oppo Overview: Middlesbrough FC

On Wednesday night, Rotherham will battle against former ‘Great Escape’ manager, Neil Warnock, as the Millers try to pull off an escape of their own this season.

Venue: AESSEAL New York Stadium

Let’s ‘ave a gander at our North Yorkshire neighbours.

Formed: 1876, 145 years ago.

Nicknames: The Boro

Home Kit: Red Shirt w/ white trim. White Shorts. White Socks

Away Kit: Black and Blue Striped Shirt. Black Shorts. Black Socks w/ blue trim

Form: LLDLL (11th in the Championship)

Rotherham Form: LDWLL (22nd in the Championship)

Honours:

Championship: Winners (1926-27, 1928-29, 1973-74, 1994-95) Runners-up (1997-98, 2015-16) Play off Winners (1988)

League One: Runners-up (1966-67, 1986-87)

Northern League: Winners (1893-94, 1894-95, 1896-97)

EFL Cup: Winners (2003-04)

FA Cup: Runners-up (1996-97)

FA Amateur Cup: Winners (1895, 1898)

Full Members Cup: Runners-up (1989-90)

UEFA Cup: Runners-up (2005-06)

Anglo-Scottish Cup: Winners (1976)

Kirin Cup: Winners (1980)

Like many Yorkshire towns, the beating heart of Middlesbrough was once Coal and Steel. During the peak of the industrial age, an Amateur club was formed and bounced in and out of professionalism before committing in 1899. The initial disagreement over professionalism wielded what can be seen as the first ‘break away’ club, Middlesbrough Ironopolis, a club in existence for only 5 years.

The now professional Middlesbrough moved to their Ayresome Park ground in 1903, adjacent to the Paradise Ground where Ironopolis lived a short life.

The Boro have been a main player in the First Division through the 20th century, but they have flirted at times with the lower reaches of the Third Division.

A founding member of the Premier League in 1992, Boro were at the right place at the right time after winning promotion the season before but became one of the first 3 clubs relegated from the new league. Teeside welcomed the first all-seater stadium following the Taylor Report and The Riverside has housed the Boro ever since. A single season spell in 2016-17 is their latest dabble in the top-flight.  

Manager: Neil Warnock

The veteran manager has certainly seen a fair amount of action in the trenches. Warnock holds the record for most promotions as a manager with 8. His long management career started only a year after he hung up his boots.

Born in Sheffield in 1948, Warnock’s playing days as a Winger started just down the road at Chesterfield in 1967 before moving back to South Yorkshire and turning out for the Millers between 1969 and 1971, making 52 league appearances and scoring 5 goals. Never one to stick around longer than a couple of seasons, Warnock had spells at Hartlepool, Scunthorpe, Aldershot, Barnsley, and York City before ending his relatively short career at Crewe Alexandra.

Retiring at only 30, his focus shifted to the management side of the game. To spend time looking at every club on Neil’s long list of managed sides would fill the time between a butty in the morning and kick off in the evening, so let’s list them and highlight the odd couple, sound good?

Starting at Gainsborough Trinity in 1980, Warnock has managed; Burton Albion (1981-86), Scarborough (1986-89), Notts County (1989-1993), Torquay United (1993), Huddersfield Town (1993-95), Plymouth Argyle (1995-97), Oldham Athletic (1997-98), Bury (1998-99), Sheffield United (1999-2007), Crystal Palace (2007-10, 2014), Queens Park Rangers (2010-12, 2015), Leeds United (2012-13), Rotherham United (2016), Cardiff City (2016-19), and Middlesbrough (2020-).

Catch your breath.

Warnock’s time at the Blades put Sheffield United on the footballing map in the early 2000’s with EFL Cup and FA Cup semi finals in 2002-03 whilst still in the Championship. A 3-0 defeat to Wolves in the Play-off final prevented the Blades from going up that season. Warnock got them there in the end, finishing second in the 2005-06 season. This proved to be the Blades last promotion until Chris Wilder arrived in 2016. The boyhood Blade’s time at Bramall Lane came to an end after the controversial relegation in 2006-07.

One take away from the Warnock years at the Lane is the famous quote bellowed in the dressing room.

“You’ve got to f***ing die to get three points”.

Skipping ahead to the Warnock… half year at New York. Warnock told Leon Wobschall at the Yorkshire Post that “I would not be sat here now if it was not for Rotherham. It gave me an enjoyment I thought I’d finished with. It was an amazing time.” Indeed, it was.

After a Draw and double Lose after signing on in early February 2016, Warnock took Rotherham on the most remarkable turn around of form. Eleven games unbeaten, including the now famous 3-3 draw with Derby after being 3-0 down on 82 minutes. The final win in that remarkable run was a 4-0 destruction of MK Dons which virtually confirmed Rotherham’s survival.

It’s a shame Warnock didn’t stay for another season, who knows where the Millers would’ve finished under his guidance, but the man wants promotions!

Last Time Out

Warnock’s Boro and Warne’s Rotherham locked horns earlier this season in a game that caught a few Millers off guard.

Middlesbrough 0-3 Rotherham United (Crooks 43, Smith 79P, Giles 90+2)

Head-to-Head

Rotherham Wins: 11

Draws: 8

Middlesbrough Wins: 20

Record Win: Middlesbrough 3-5 Rotherham United (13 March 1965)

Record Defeat: Middlesbrough 5-1 Rotherham United (15 January 1955 & 30 August 1961)

Last Home Win: 1-0 (8March 2016) Frecklington 88

Rotherham United

  1. Viktor Johansson, 3. Joe Mattock, 8. Ben Wiles, 10. Freddie Ladapo, 17. Kieran Sadlier, 19. Wes Harding, 20. Michael Ihiekwe (C), 21. Angus MacDonald, 24. Michael Smith, 25. Matt Crooks, 26. Dan Barlaser

(Subs: 27. Jamal Blackman, 6. Richard Wood, 9. George Hirst, 11. Chiedozie Ogbene, 16. Jamie Lindsay, 18. Trevor Clarke, 28. Florian Jozefzoon, 30. Ryan Giles

News: Joe Mattock is in the squad for the first time in four months following a lengthy injury. Clark Robertson and Shaun MacDonald miss out through injury. Captain, Richard Wood, is on the bench following Sunday’s defeat to Birmingham City. Mattock will play in a slightly more advanced position this evening as starting Left Wing-Back. Kieran Sadlier takes up the Right Wing-Back mantle for tonight, a more defensive position than usual.

Middlesbrough

13. Jordan Archer, 3. Marvin Johnson, 4. Grant Hall, 10. Chuba Akpom, 14. Yannick Bolasie, 16. Jonny Howson (C), 17. Paddy McNair, 18. Duncan Watmore, 21. Nesskens Kebano, 22. George Saville, 27. Marc Bola

(Subs: 1. Marcus Bettinelli, 34. Hayden Hackney, 40. Williams Kokolo, 45. Josh Coburn, 46. Connor Malley, 47. Jack Robionson

News: Marvin Johnson and Chuba Akpom return to the starting 11 this evening. Boro main men Britt Assombalonga and Ashley Fletcher miss out. The bench seems very light with only five outfield players as subs and five subs allocated during the game. Every player, apart from Marcus Bettinelli, are from the Middlesbrough Academy set up.

From behind, for the first time| Match Report: Rotherham United 3-1 Queens Park Rangers

Rotherham United came from behind for the first time this season to overcome in-form QPR.

Freddie Ladapo at the double and Michael Smith at the end of normal time overhauled a brilliant finish by Lyndon Dykes earlier in the game.

The win sees Rotherham start their insane run of four home games in a week with all three points.

The heads butted in the first half as both the Millers and the Hoops tried to work each other out. QPR broke on the counter well, but Rotherham matched each attack. The men in red attacked and possibly had the clearer cut chances as Crooks’ shot was wide of the back post by inches. George Thomas in the White and Blue Hoops had the best chances for QPR, shooting from distance on several occasions. Dykes went close, but no cigar. QPR had the possession game of the first half, but Rotherham looked dangerous when they forged chances.

The Hoops found the breakthrough first. The game was level pegged until a moment of high intensity play from Osman Kakay found a hole in the Rotherham left flank. A peach of a cross found Dykes with space, one touch, bang, easy as that.

Ladapo wanted a bit of the action and latched onto a lofted cross from Lewis Wing. One touch, bang, all square.

Moments later Ladapo broke through again. A clever ball put the striker in a 1v1 after beating the offside trap, leaving the Hoops stood like trees. A composed finish gave the Millers the lead.

It was Smith’s turn to show composure as the game entered the last minute of normal time. A through ball from Jamie Lindsay gave Smith the run of the opposition half. His calm finish put the cherry on the icing on the cake and sealed a vital win.

Rotherham return to the New York on Thursday to face Coventry… who are 3pts above… in the final place of safety.

Massive doesn’t do it justice.

Goals: (Dykes 52), Ladapo 64,66, Smith 90

Teams:

Rotherham: Johansson, S MacDonald (Wing 58), Wiles (Lindsay 58), Ladapo (Sadlier 81), Robertson, Harding, A MacDonald, Olosunde (Wood 45), Crooks © (Smith 58), Barlaser, Giles

(Subs not used: Blackman, Hirst, Ogbene, Jozefzoon)

QPR: Dieng, Dickie, De Wijs (Kane 45), Barbet, Dykes, Johansen, Field (Chair 80), Thomas (Willock 80), Kakay, Hamalainen, Kelman

(Subs not used: Lumley, Bonne, Ball, Bettache, Adomah, Duke-McKenna)

Referee: D Whitestone

SAS week for Rotherham United

The Championship will have a ‘Sickener’ relegation battle in which Rotherham will face three sides, all at home, in the space of a week.

A selection process that even Ant Middleton could raise a smile to, the Millers will need special forces on their side to pick up maximum points against high flying Queens Park Rangers and fellow relegation threatened Coventry City and Birmingham City.  

Rotherham’s home form is one of the worst in the Championship this season, winning only four and drawing three. The latest home affair was a shock defeat to bottom club Wycombe Wanderers. Shocking in performance and in score line, 3-0 is the Millers joint worst losing margin this season. Only Watford have scored more than three against the Millers, funnily enough at the AESSEAL New York Stadium. However, that 4-1 defeat seemed to spark a fire in Rotherham and the 2-0 victory over Bristol City before the international break was a sound and solid performance.

Over Easter the vail has slipped and Rotherham haven’t scored in their last three games. Millwall proved to be a nut too tough to crack, but a draw would’ve been a fair assessment even though it ended 1-0 to the Lions. Wycombe… we don’t talk about that.

Now we come to Huddersfield Town, the start of a hectic schedule that brings vibes of the 1920’s rather than the 2020’s. Nine games need to be squeezed in from now until May 8th, some of which could bring season defining performances, if Rotherham find their shooting boots that is.

Huddersfield Town on Saturday is a typical example of ‘it wasn’t your day’. The ball just wouldn’t drop kindly for the Millers. Two inches either side of a post or the flip side of a deciding by the referee could’ve brought a win of 3/4 maybe even 5-0. Matt Crooks hitting the post from a scorable position, Lewis Wing hitting the bar from a 30-yard free kick screamer, Crooks being ruled offside, or was it a foul? Footage shows neither to be correct. Richard Wood’s penalty shout which VAR would have given in a heartbeat, and finally Ben Wiles missing a sitter after a solid game in midfield. The list is long, but it shows that if the Millers take chances, they’ll be comfortable survivors.

As it stands, Rotherham are six points behind Coventry with three games in hand. Sheffield Wednesday is the next in the red club and sit only a point behind the Millers. Wycombe aren’t far behind on the bottom of the table, being boosted by the victory at New York.

Rotherham need to find their home form which has blessed them in recent seasons but is a curse this season. QPR have recently dispatched Sheffield Wednesday 4-1 and the Royal’s tails will be up for another victory over the Millers to added to the 3-2 at Loftus Road earlier in the season.

Coventry will be rather annoyed at playing on a Thursday but will be wanting a repeat of the easy 3-1 win at St. Andrew’s. Bonus: It’s on Sky Sports Football, here’s hoping your local has outside TV’s.

Birmingham needs to better the result at St. Andrew’s (It’s a confusing time round the West Midlands), but Rotherham will want to better it as well after scoring and conceding in added time for a 1-1 draw. Bonus: Also on Sky, but midday kick off.

The titanic effort needed will bring ups and downs and plenty of twists and turns. Some fans think Rotherham are down already, others are still optimistic. Some want the manager gone, others want him to stay. Everyone’s a bit on edge due to being couped up inside and not at the football for more than a year. Calm down, have a pint in the garden, or beer garden from Monday and come together on the matchdays.

Once Rotherham break the scoring duck, they’ll find the ball drops a little kinder.

Who knows, Wiles might score a worldie next game.

Image: themillers.co.uk/ Jim Brailsford

Calamity in the Capital |Match Report: Millwall 1-0 Rotherham United

Rotherham United went down to 10-men and missed a penalty in a closely fought defeat at Millwall.

Captain, Richard Wood, was sent off in the second half for denial of a goal scoring opportunity.

The 10 Millers couldn’t hang on and went down to a sliced half-volley from Jed Wallace.

Michael Smith had a red-hot opportunity to level the game after being felled in the area, but his tame penalty was easily saved by Bartosz Bialkowski in the Millwall goal.

The opening 45 played out even as neither side took the game by the scruff of the neck. Millwall’s chance of note was a clever attack after a Wes Harding error. The ball fell to Jed Wallace on his own, but the forward couldn’t get control for a clear chance.

Rotherham had the best chance of the half with Michael Ihiekwe meeting a lofted free kick. The defender’s header brough a great save from the Lions’ keeper, getting low to his right to deny the opening goal.

The second half was a horror show for the Millers. In the opening stages Wood was sent off for an unintentional foul, but because he was last man and the attacker had a yard on him, the referee had no choice but to send the skipper for an early bath.

The man advantage proved to be the boost the Lions needed to find a breakthrough against the Millers.

Jed Wallace sliced the ball on the half volley following a corner and the ball nestled in the unsavable spot, top right bins.

Smith could’ve and should’ve equalised from 12 yards late in the second half, but his tame effort was saved by Bialkowski, who had an excellent afternoon and kept Millwall on top.

Rotherham’s late push for an equaliser proved to be in vain as the single goal did the job for the home side.

It’s the hope that kills you.

Goals: J Wallace 63

Teams:

Millwall: Bialkowski, M Wallace, Hutchinson (Pearce 32), Cooper, J Wallace (Bodvarsson 73), Malone, Woods (Kieftenbeld 87), Bennett (Zohore 73), McNamara, Mitchell (Mahoney 73), Evans

(Subs not used: Fielding, Williams, Bradshaw, Romeo)

Rotherham: Johansson, Wing (Clarke 77), Wood, Ladapo (Lindsay 58), Harding, Ihiekwe, A MacDonald, Smith, Crooks (Hirst 77), Barlaser (Jozefzoon 77), Giles (Wiles 58)

(Subs not used: Blackman, S MacDonald, Ogbene, Sadlier)

Red Card(s): Wood 55

Referee: J Brooks

Another Double| Match Report: Bristol City 0-2 Rotherham United

Rotherham United took another step in the battle for survival to take their win counter to ten.

The Millers, now rested and trained, looked comfortable and organised at Bristol City. A spark contrast to the Watford game on Tuesday evening.

Michael Smith opened the scoring with his ninth of the campaign and 100th career goal in fine fashion with a flick header over the Robins keeper.

The Millers pressed for an advantage and found it via the head of former loanee, Zak Vyner. The defender heading into his own net following a Dan Barlaser corner. Millers Captain, Richard Wood, will be claiming it after wheeling away celebrating.

Bristol City played the possession game in the first half, testing the Rotherham defence with the occasional probing attack. The Millers repelled each one with only minor stress moments. A clever counter by the Robins, whist Richard Wood lay on the deck, looked to be flash point. But equally clever defending stopped it dead.

An early injury forced the first hand from Bristol City as Tomas Kalas rose up on Smith and fell awkwardly. Vyner replaced the injured captain.

The deadlock was broken by the first shot on target from Rotherham. Michael Smith appeared in front of David Bentley and got the faintest of touches on a peach cross from Wes Harding on the right and the header put the Millers ahead just before half time.

The second half followed the story of the first, Bristol City probing, Rotherham defending well and slowly upsetting flow of the game.

A bullet header from Michael Ihiekwe was saved brilliantly by Bentley in the Robins goal, but he was powerless to stop the ‘wrecking ball’ a few moments later.

Wood rose highest in a swam of red shirts in the box to contact Barlaser’s in swinging corner, but the ball cannoned off Vyner’s head on the way down and past Bentley. Its listed as Wood’s goal, so lets go with it and keep quiet about Vyner’s touch.

Rotherham saw out the game in fine fashion. Only a late scramble at the goal mouth worried the Millers, but Johansson’s excellent positioning and a bit of assistance from the offside flag stopped an attack and preserved the clean sheet.

Nice rest during the international break on the cards, lovely.

Goals: (Smith 44), (Wood 74)

Teams:

Bristol City: Bentley, Hunt (Pearson 77), Walsh, Diedhiou (Semenyo 59), O’Dowda, Mariappa, Wells, Kalas ©(Vyner 26), Massengo (Bell 77), Sessegnon, Palmer (Lansbury 59)

(Subs not used: O’Leary, Nagy, Bakinson, Towler)

Rotherham: Johansson, Wing (Clarke 86), Wood ©, Ladapo (Jozefzoon 74), Harding, Ihiekwe, A MacDonald, Smith (Hirst 86), Crooks, Barlaser (S MacDonald 86), Giles (Olosunde 65)

(Subs not used: Blackman, Wiles, Sadlier)

Referee: M Donohue

Stung by the Hornets| Match Report: Rotherham United 1-4 Watford

COVID riddled Rotherham put up a good fight against promotion pushing Watford, but overwhelming quality and tired bodies proved the difference.

A moment of shining sun on a gloomy day came via the boot of Freddie Ladapo who rifled a ball with real anger into the top bins, but Watford’s superior fitness cut through the Millers defence like a hot knife through butter.

Three in the first half and one straight after Ladapo’s screamer was Rotherham’s undoing in the first game back after covid took root in the Millers camp.

Watford took advantage over the covid weakened Rotherham in the early stages by playing a short corner and finding Francisco Sierrata in the area with the whipped cross. The Chilian rose above Richard Wood and headed home.

The Hornets extended their lead halfway through the first half. Ismaila Sarr popping up in the area after a smart save by Jamal Blackman.

Watford made it three before half time with a decent half volley from Ken Sema on the edge of the 18-yard-area. The corner fell and bounced kindly for Sema and the damage was done before the break.

Today was not Rotherham’s day. A soft penalty was awarded in favour of the men in red, possibly out of sympathy, but Hornet’s keeper Daniel Bachmann didn’t have any for Michael Smith from 12-yards, saving to his mid-right. Bachmann cemented the feeling of ‘its not our day’.

Ladapo’s strike was a moment of brief excitement and has a case for goal of the day. The forward picked up the ball and produced a carbon copy of his movements at Hillsborough a fortnight ago. A cut inside and a strike hit with real venom and anger at the score-line left Bachmann a bystander.

But, with celebrations still happening on the sideline, Watford popped in their fourth with Dan Gosling tapping home a parried Blackman save.

It’s a case of rest and recovery for Rotherham before the Bristol City trip on Saturday. Three players are still out and in self isolation. An unknown number are still suffering aftereffects of the virus.

Goals: (Sierrata 8), (Sarr 26), (Sema 38), Ladapo 68, (Gosling 69)

Teams:

Rotherham: Blackman, S MacDonald (Sadlier 72), Wood ©, Wiles (Harding 54), Ladapo (Hirst 78), Ihiekwe, A MacDonald, Olosunde (Giles 72), Smith (Jozefzoon 78), Crooks, Barlaser

(Subs not used: Johansson, Gratton, Hull)

Watford: Bachmann, Troost-Ekong, Zinckernagel (Sanchez 66), Pedro, Masina, Sema, Chalobah © (Gosling 66), Hughes (Success 79), Femenia (Gray 52), Sarr (Ngakia 52), Sierrata

(Subs not used: Foster, Cathcart, Lazaar, Hungbo)

Referee: J Simpson

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Relegation Derby Victory| Match Report: Sheffield Wednesday 1-2 Rotherham United

Rotherham United scored in the final seconds to clinch victory over relegation rivals Sheffield Wednesday.

The Millers have done the double over Owls for the first time in their history and did so in stunning fashion that left every Miller going delirious in their living rooms.

Freddie Ladapo fired home the winner after a quick counterattack, sending the bench into raptures.

Fellow striker, Michael Smith had opened the scoring for the Millers before being sent off in controversial circumstances after an altercation with Julian Borner in the second half.

An own goal by Rotherham defender, Matt Olosunde, cruelly levelled the scores late on, the American brought to tears after the final whistle for his mistake.

Rotherham grabbed the game by the scruff of the neck and took advantage early in the first half. After riding early pressure from the Owls, the Millers punted forward with a ball out to Florian Jozefzoon. His peach cross found the head of Michael Smith and flew past Joe Wildsmith in the Wednesday goal.

The home side went close as Callum Paterson beat Ben Wiles and the offside trap but couldn’t find the target.

Lewis Wing struck the post from distance and Rotherham took a goal lead into the break.

Rotherham went down to ten men shortly after the restart. Smith seeing red after being hauled about by the Wednesday defence all game. Ripped shirt flapping in the breeze, the forward snapped and walked for his reaction.

The other man in the scrap nearly ended Johansson’s evening late on. The Wednesday man colliding with the Millers keeper, ricocheting the ball of the shin of Olosunde for the leveller.

The final seconds really makes you miss being in the stadium. With the six added minutes up, Rotherham countered from a Wednesday corner and Ladapo struck gold with his shot.

Imagine the Limbs…

Goals: (Smith 17), Olosunde og 81, (Ladapo 90+6)

Teams:

Sheffield Wednesday- Wildsmith, Palmer (Marriott 84), Paterson, Hutchinson (Brown 80), Bannan (C) (Rhodes 84), Reach (Harris), Borner, Penney, Lees, Windass (Kachunga 72), Shaw

(Subs not used: Jackson, Pelupessy, Urhoghide, Dunkley)

Rotherham- Johansson, Wing, Wiles, Harding, A MacDonald, Olosunde, Smith, Crooks (C), Barlaser (Sadlier 91), Jozefzoon (Ladapo 69), Giles (Clarke 75)

(Subs not used: Blackman, S MacDonald, Hirst)

Red cards: Smith 65

Free Hit? Match Report| Norwich City 1-0 Rotherham United

Rotherham United lost a third successive game as question marks begin to appear on their survival in the Championship.

Teemu Pukki proved the difference as top of the pile Norwich could’ve scored several if not for a bit of luck and smart goalkeeping from Viktor Johansson.

The Millers have just slipped into the relegation zone after results elsewhere.

Rotherham rode their luck in the first half and were lucky not to be further behind. The single goal flattered the Millers after making little mistakes in possession that gifted Norwich chances to attack. Pukki put the Canaries ahead after clever play from Cantwell. It could’ve been two after Ihiekwe gave the ball away, but Cantwell fired over.

The Millers appeared to score first in the game. Clark Robertson headed home from a corner, but the referee saw an infringement and chalked off the goal. Dan Barlaser seemed to softly pull Tim Kruls arm, but nothing else seemed wrong,

The second half started brighter for Rotherham, Ben Wiles striking the crossbar on the half volley. Krul was beaten but the woodwork denied an equaliser. Matt Crooks had the best chance to level the score, but somehow a Norwich body blocked the shot. The follow through on Crooks felled the big man and he appeared to be knocked out after smacking his head on Kruls boot. Tree had to be taken off after sitting up and looking a little green. A welcomed return for Kieran Sadlier.

A special mention must be given to Emi Buendia who looks to be laying the stones for a career on stage after his theatrics on the pitch. The yells of pain with little contact. Constant calls for bookings from soft challenges.

The actor’s guild will be calling soon.

Goals: Pukki 17

Teams:

Norwich: Krul, Aarons, Hanley ©, Zimmermann, Vrancic (Tettey 94), Cantwell (Rupp 90), Buenida, Skipp, Pukki (Idah 93), McLean, Giannoulis

(Subs not used: Barden, Dowell, Quintilla, Sorensen, Herandez, Gibson)

Rotherham: Johansson, Wing, Wiles, Robertson, Harding (Jozefzoon 82), Ihiekwe ©, A MacDonald (Olosunde 45), Smith (Hirst 66), Crooks (Sadlier 74), Barlaser (Ladapo 66), Giles

(Subs not used: Blackman, S MacDonald, Wood, Clarke)

Referee: T Harrington

Precious Points at Preston. Match Report| Preston North End 1-2 Rotherham United

Rotherham United picked up another three vital points at Deepdale in the relegation fight.

The win sees Rotherham move out of the relegation zone to 20th after winning consecutive championship games for the first time under Paul Warne.

An own goal and a well-placed strike from Ben Wiles gave Rotherham the win before Ched Evans pulled a goal back in a stressful finish.

Rotherham scored probably the fastest goal of this season after Freddie Ladapo capitalised on an early probing attack. The striker struck the ball towards goal, then Joe Rafferty headed it beyond his keeper. Preston hunted for an equaliser and took control of the half.

A free kick from Ben Whiteman somehow didn’t go in and Rotherham rode their luck but survived with the lead until half time.  

Evans was lucky to still be on the pitch after a late challenge on Viktor Johansson put a boot straight in the face of the keeper. Only a yellow, okay.

After the restart Rotherham grabbed the game by the scruff of the neck when Wiles calmly put the ball past his former teammate, Daniel Iversen, and gave the Millers a two-goal cushion. Full debutant Lewis Wing provided the perfect pass to tee up the Rawmarsh lad.

Preston wanted at least a goal in this game to echo the score line at New York earlier in the season. Evans grabbed it after a quick corner and ran straight back to the halfway line to restart. Questions were asked by the Millers back line over a foul on Johansson, but the referee wasn’t interested.

The interest of the ref was tested again in added time after Preston cried for a penalty. No interest and the challenge as soft as a silk sheet.

Two in a row, two league doubles. Weekend delight.

Goals: Rafferty OG, Wiles 55, (Evans 64)

Teams:

Preston: Iversen, L Lindsay, Rafferty (Maguire 80), Hughes, Whiteman, Ledson (Johnson 65), Molumby (Potts 65), Huntington (Van Der Berg 72), Evans, Barkhuizen, Gordan (Sinclair 65)

(Subs not used: Ripley, Cunningham, Gallagher, Jakobsen)

Rotherham: Johansson, Wing, Hirst (Crooks 66), Ladapo (Smith 66), Robertson, J Lindsay (Wiles 13), Harding, Ihiekwe, A MacDonald, Barlaser (Wood 91), Giles (Olosunde 66)

(Subs not used: Vickers, Clarke, S MacDonald, Jozefzoon) Referee: G Ward

Pandemonium in the Living Room! Match Report| Rotherham United 3-0 Derby County

Rotherham United smashed three goals past Wayne Rooney’s Derby County to claim a first league double since 1965/66.

Three second half goals from centre-half Michael ‘Big Dave’ Ihiekwe, Michael Smith, and Ryan Giles sunk the Rams in a game they looked in control of after the restart.

A massive result given this fixture had been postponed twice before tonight and is one of the Millers’ games in hand in the relegation scrap.

Rotherham looked the better team early on, but Derby found their feet after twenty or so minutes with decent efforts at goal, but smart defending and goalkeeping kept it level. Rotherham pressure mounted in the last five and Crooks nearly pounced on a loose ball and Jamie Lindsay should’ve scored in a 1v1, but his volley curled the wrong way round the post.

Derby took control of the second half early on and looked most likely to score after breaching the Millers defence on multiple occasions and causing problems with Martyn Waghorn sniffing and Colin Kazim-Richards proving to be a difficult customer.

But it was Rotherham who grabbed the first goal. A dead ball on halfway was lofted into the area, headed on once, before Ihiekwe appeared and the back post and poked it home. Big Dave with his Big Toe.

It would be Rotherham to ripple the net again after a superb run from Matt Crooks brought fresh sub, Ryan Giles, into play. His pass back to the big man teed up the cross which fell to Michael Smith at the near post. You know the rest.

The final action came with Giles picking up the ball on a counterattack from Crooks and driving at goal. The wing back rifled a ball to the far post, echoing his goal against Middlesbrough last week. Sealing the win for the Millers.

Scared to play. Are. You. Sure?

Teams:

Rotherham: Johansson, Wood ©, Wiles (S MacDonald 91), Robertson, Lindsay (A MacDonald 83), Harding, Ihiekwe, Olosunde (Giles 67), Smith (Ladapo 83), Crooks, Barlaser (Wing 67)

(Unused subs: Vickers, Hirst, T Clarke, Cooper)

Derby: Marshall ©, Wisdom, Shinnie (Baningime 86), Jozwiak (Roberts 71), Bird, Waghorn (Gregory), Byrne, Kazim-Richards (Sibley 86), M Clarke, Buchanan, Knight

(Unused subs: Roos, Forsyth, Mengi, McDonald, Watson

Goals: Ihiekwe 75, Smith 81, Giles 87

Referee: J Simpson

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