The Wandering Yorkshireman

Coventry City pushed aside a lack lustre Rotherham side in a compound victory at St. Andrew’s.

The Sky Blues dominated intensity from minute one and popped in two early goals before the Millers had even settled into a formation.

Max Biamou placed the ball past Jamal Blackman to open the scoring, then Tyler Walker was in the right place at the right time and fire a ricocheted-off-the-post save into the top corner.

A goal from Leo Ositgard (or was it an own goal by Smith? Went and put the kettle on) finished off the Millers later in the game.

A late penalty from Dan Barlaser was merely a consolation on a miserable evening in Birmingham.

Coventry unravelled the Millers defence like string with superior intensity and drive to score early. The opening goal pitted two defenders in the same position for the same ball and Biamou simply out manoeuvred them.

The second came only minutes later after header was brilliantly saved by Blackman, but the ball fell kindly off the post for Walker who rifled the ball into the open left side.

The second half was more of the same. Coventry with high intensity, Rotherham not being able to deal. The so-called kings of set pieces had one popped in against them with Ostigard looking to get the final touch.

The game got away from Rotherham in the end, not even a Barlaser penalty brought a relief as it took an age to be given by whistle happy David Webb.

An extremely poor day at the office for Rotherham. Coventry will be happy at the number of fouls given in their favour and how they’ve avenged the 4-0 drumming of last season by inflicting an embarrassing show to Rotherham.

It won’t be a happy coach heading up the M1.

Goals: Biamou 5’, Walker 2’, Ostigard 71’, (Barlaser 84’P)

Teams:

Coventry: Wilson, Ostigard, McFadzean, Kelly ©, Biamou, O’Hare, Hyam, Walker (Bakayoko 76’), McCallum, Dabo, Hamer

(Subs not used: Camp, Allen, Jobello, Sheaf, Pask, Giles, Shipley, Rowe)

Rotherham: Blackman, Mattock (Olosunde 45’), Wood © (Barlaser 45’), Wiles, Ladapo (Hirst 53’), Lindsay (Vassell 66’), Harding, Ihiekwe, A MacDonald, Smith (Jozefzoon 79’), Crooks

(Subs not used: Johansson, Jones, Thompson, Clarke)

Referee: David Webb

Brentford narrowly beat hard working Rotherham United after a penalty from Ivan Toney and a second half tap in from Marcus Forss.

The jury is out on Mickel Miller’s red card after he fumbled Forss in the box, appearing to lose his footing before contacting the striker. But the penalty was given, and Miller was off.

Toney atoned for his duck last time at New York Stadium with Peterborough by smashing the ball past Jamal Blackman from twelve yards.

Forss opened the scoring earlier in the half after Brentford came out to hit the Millers. The cut back finding him virtually unmarked in the box to slot under Captain Richard Wood and past Blackman

Rotherham successfully shut out Brentford in the first half, with no real threat to goal coming from the Bees at all. However, Matt Crooks got the first real chance at goal with a ball he should’ve squared being saved by David Raya at the far post from a tight angle.

After being struck twice, the Millers ship was still afloat to try and salvage a goal, but headers from corners were well met by Raya who was the busier keeper as the minutes ticked.

The Rotherham ship eventually limped back to port having lost this battle but showing that the new 3-5-2 can work.

A far cry from the 4-2 and 5-1 battering of 2018/19 Rotherham will be proud of the shift they put in, but disappointed with the score line.

Goals: (Forss 56’) (Toney 82’P)

Teams:

Rotherham: Blackman, Mattock (Miller 70’), Wood ©, Wiles, Ladapo (Hirst 79’), Lindsay (Vassell 79’), Harding, A MacDonald, Olosunde (Jozefzoon 70’), Smith, Crooks (3-5-2)

(Subs not used: Johansson, Jones, Thompson, Clarke, Barlaser)

Brentford: Raya, Henry, Pinnock, Jensen, Dasilva (Marcondes 77’), Forss (Ghoddos 86’), Toney (Pressley 86’), Jansson ©, Mbeumo (Canos 73’), Fosu, Janelt (4-3-3)

(Subs not used: Daniels, Thomposn, Sorensen, Hammar)

Referee: T. Robinson

A late flurry from Rotherham United wasn’t enough to turn over a disappointing first half against Queens Park Rangers.

A goal from sub striker Freddie Ladapo closed the gap that QPR created, but the Millers suffered a second straight defeat.

Bright Osayi-Samuel and a Lydon Dykes penalty did the damage in first half added time and Rotherham never really found top gear.   

The first forty-five spelled disaster for Rotherham as QPR took an early lead with a double deflected shot from Illias Chair. The Millers did respond with a Michael Smith header after a well delivered cross from Wes Harding, but then the rear guard seemed to fall apart. Samuel twisted and turned in the box and fired QPR into the lead. Then, as half time beckoned, Barlaser handled the ball in the area and Dykes increased the lead before the whistle.

The second half brought a slight improvement from Rotherham, but not enough to turn the tide of the game. Ladapo nearly scored with his first touch, then had a second attempt only moments later. The introduction of the striker seemed to lift the energy of the Millers.

A penalty shout was turned away after Matt Olosunde was clearly fouled in the box. Captain Michael Ihiekwe getting a caution for his protests. The renewed determination brought a powerful header from the captain, the ball bouncing off the post to Ladapo who tapped it home.

Rotherham tried desperately to twist the screw, but QPR clung onto the lead.

A final stab at goal was collected by Seny Dieng who ended the evening the busier keeper and his hoofed ball up the pitch brought an end to a half the Millers won, but a second game they’ve lost.

Teams:

Queens Park Rangers: Dieng, Kakay, Masterson, Barbet, Hamalainen, Cameron © (Carroll 65’), Ball, Osayi-Samuel (Adomah 77’), Chair, Willock (Bonne 59’), Dykes

(Subs not used: Kelly, Kane, Wallace, Bettache, Alfa,Kelman)

Rotherham: Blackman, Harding (Hirst 83’), Ihiekwe ©, A MacDonald, Mattock, Jozefzoon (Olosunde 58’), Wiles, Barlaser (Crooks 45’), Clarke (Lindsay 45’), Vassell, Smith

(Subs not used: Johansson, Jones, Wood, Miller)

Goals: Chair 19’, (Smith 37’), Osayi-Samuel 45’, Dykes 45+2’P, (Ladapo 83’)

Referee: Oliver Langford

GOALKEEPER Matt Cox won the Youth Alliance Cup in the last minute for AFC Wimbledon.

A thunderous clearance from Cox flew across everyone’s head and beat opposing ‘keeper Elliot Ellis in the Rotherham goal, trickling over the line to give Wimbledon the win.

Both teams had penalty shouts waved away and both hit the crossbar before Cox scored for the Dons. Rotherham will be proud of the performance in their first final but will be hurting at how they lost the trophy.

Wimbledon started the brighter of the young sides with better chances in the opening half than their opponents in Red, but it was Millers ‘keeper Ellis that denied the opening goal. Twice. Once from Troy Chiabi and then from Obed Yeboah only seconds later.

The game opened after the restart and both clubs looked to break the deadlock. Wimbledon thought they had, but the linesman flagged for offside.

Rotherham had a double attempt saved and canon off the bar in the closing stages, with Wimbledon also rattling the woodwork.

But it was the Don between the sticks who nabbed the winner in the final minute to secure silverware for the London side.

Rotherham can still claim to be the best Northern team in the 2019/20 Youth Alliance Cup.

GG to the Dons. That’s what the kids say… right?

FULL TIME: Rotherham United 0-1 AFC Wimbledon

Goals: (COX 90’)

Teams:

Rotherham: ELLIS, MAKWEDZA, EXTON, WARNE, SKERRITT, SMITH, MCGUCKIN, SCOTT, GREAVES ©, KENNY (BOOTH 66’), DUROSE

(Unused subs: Ford, Hanley, Greenhouse, Watson

Wimbledon: COX, JENKINS, SUTCLIFFE, OGUNDERE ©, ADJEI-HERSHEY, RAMIREZ, ALLI, FRIMPONG, CHIABI (HALLARD 59’), YEBOAH (BARTLEY 66’), SASU (KAWA 83’)

(Unused subs: Onabanjo, Jones)

Matt Crooks ended Preston North End’s unbeaten away start in a dramatic misty afternoon at the New York Stadium.

Captain Richard Wood opened the scoring, controlling in the area and firing past Declan Rudd. An assist by the shoulder of vice-captain Michael Ihiekwe setting the veteran defender perfectly in the six-yard box.

Crooks grabbed the winner after Florian Jozefzoon rode a red card challenge and ran 60 yards to set up the substitute, who calmly dispatched the ball past Rudd.

Preston’s goal was sandwiched between the well taken efforts from the Millers. Following a corner, the ball fell to Ryan Ledson who’s 20-yard effort nestled in the bottom corner.

The opening forty-five was one of heavy challenges, little attention given to free kick cries, and the Lilywhites riding multiple Millers attacks.

Kieran Sadlier was an early casualty after returning to the starting 11. The Referee gave little attention to the painful cries of Sadlier and play continued.

A ferocious free kick from Kyle Vassell was the only threatening chance of the half. Rudd in the Lilywhites goal certainly felt it in the chilly air at New York.

After the magic hat man opened the scoring for the Millermen, the game suddenly exploded into life. If the Lilywhites attacked, then the Millers attacked. Final third to final third.

Preston equalised with a ‘sweet as a nut’ strike from Ledson and debutant ‘keeper, Viktor Johansson pulled of a brave save moments later.

Crooks won the day in the closing minutes and Rotherham clung on to record a victory over the once unbeatable away team.

Teams:

Rotherham United: Johansson, Olosunde (A MacDonald 88), Ihiekwe, Wood ©, Harding, Lindsay, Barlaser, Wiles, Sadlier (Jozefzoon 23), Vassell (Crooks 66), Ladapo

(Subs not used: Vickers, Hirst, Miller, Smith)

Preston North End: Rudd, Fisher (Gallagher 74), Huntington, Storey, Rafferty, Ledson, Johnson, Browne ©, Potts, Sinclair (Barkhuizen 58), Jakobson (Stockley)

(Subs not used: Ripley, Maguire, Harrop, Earl)

Goals: Wood 54’, (Ledson 79’), Crooks 84’

Referee: Andy Davies

ROTHERHAM United slipped to another defeat as Luton Town grabbed all three points in the first meeting between the two sides at The New York Stadium.

Luton took the lead in the latter stages of the second half and Rotherham are left to rue some questionable defending and a lack of threat in the final third.

James Collins grabbed the only goal of the game. A free kick from the right by Luke Berry perfectly fell for Collins who only had to tap it home unchallenged in the area.

Both Rotherham and Luton showed their dedication to hard work as the first half brought few definitive chances, but both elevens’ ran hard after every loose ball and battled hard in their defensive halves.

Joe Mattock was an early casualty of the high intensity, being replaced by towering Matt ‘Tree’ Crooks before ten minutes had passed.

Rotherham seemed to be in Luton’s final third more as the half progressed but lacked that final shot to break the icy deadlock at The New York Stadium.

Luton finished the half ever so slightly on top after Jamal Blackman clawed away George Moncur’s shot and Matty Pearson fizzed a shot wide of the near post in the final seconds.  

The lack of an attacking threat is a growing concern for Rotherham after dominating the first half with virtually no definitive chance in the second half to shout about. George Hirst and Freddie Ladapo tried to make an impact but fell short of the mark.

The wingers were the men of the day, but a sudden decline of composure on the ball gave a sour end to a first meeting at the New York.  

Full Time: Rotherham United 0-1 Luton Town

Rotherham: Blackman, Harding, Ihiekwe ©, A MacDonald, Mattock (Crooks 10’), Lindsay, Wiles, Barlaser, Jozefzoon (Ladapo 80’), Miller, Smith (Hirst 57’)

(Subs not used: Johansson, Wood, Sadlier, Vassell)

Luton Town: Sluga, Cranie, Tunnicliffe, Bradley©, Pearson, Cornick (Lualua 63’), Berry, Moncur, Rea, Collins, Morrell (Mpanzu 45’)

(Subs not used: Shea, Lee, Lockyer, Bree, Nombe)

Goals: (Collins 70’)

Referee: Andy Madley

Rotherham United dominated against 10-man Sheffield Wednesday with three goals in the first half on a day that rewrites Millers history.

Before tonight Rotherham had never beaten Sheffield Wednesday by a three-goal margin. Jamie Lindsay opened the scoring and bagged a second later in the first half either side of a Dan Barlaser penalty.

Tom Lees saw red for hauling down Florian Jozefzoon in a clear goalscoring opportunity in what is Wednesday’s second red card in as many games

The game started with what must be the most 21^st century thing to happen in a football game. A drone was spotted over the New York Stadium and play was hauled after only five minutes.

After the players returned, Rotherham grabbed a goal via Jamie Lindsay’s looping header and Wednesday threatened immediately afterwards.

However, the game seemed to go out of the Owls favour as Jozefzoon was hauled down in the area and Lees was sent off. Barlaser scored the penalty and moments later Lindsay was in again to give the Millers a three-goal lead.

The second half was one of damage control by the Owls and not blowing out for Rotherham as both teams never really threatened. A note to former Wednesday academy player, Richard Wood, now thirty-five, who would’ve bagged Rotherham’s fourth if not for the offside flag. George Hirst, son of Wednesday legend David, saw action in the closing minutes and nearly bagged a goal if not for a smart save by Cameron Dawson.  

Teams:

Rotherham United: Blackman, Harding, Ihiekwe, Wood (C), Mattock, Jozefzoon, Wiles, Lindsay, Barlaser (Smith 64′), Miller (S MacDonald 81′), Ladapo (Hirst 72′)

(Subs not used: Johansson, Jones, Crooks, Sadlier)

Sheffield Wednesday: Dawson, Borner, Flint (Palmer 17′), Lees, Odubajo, Harris, Bannan (C), Pelupessy, Dele-Bashiru, Marriott (Reach 69′), Paterson (Windass 55′)

(Subs not used: Wildsmith, Hunt, Kachunga, Rhodes)

Goals: Lindsay 6′, 45′, Barlaser 40’P

Referee: Jarred Gillett

Middlesbrough condemned Coventry City to another defeat after twice scoring late on at the Riverside

Britt Assombalonga scored his first goal of the season and Djed Spence slotted past Coventry ‘keeper Marko Marosi in added time to give Boro all 3 points.

The low strike from Assombalonga heated up an otherwise dull game with little concrete chances from either team. But in the dying seconds Marosi overly committed to winning the ball and Spence calmy manoeuvred around the diving ‘keeper and slotted home.

A slow half greeted both teams in a stop start opening 30 minutes, however Middlesbrough kept testing the Coventry defence with Paddy McNair firing at Marosi from a tight angle. It was the resilience of the newly promoted side that held firm and kept the score all square. Pot shots from the Sky Blues didn’t trouble the Boro ‘keeper but served as a warning that they weren’t there to just take hits freely.

Coventry started the brighter after the restart and pushed for an early goal, but the Boro defence held firm. Middlesbrough launched several salvos which saw Sam Morsy hit the bar and Assombalonga head over. Coventry responded with Matt Godden creating a three on two but lacked a final ball.

Assombalonga broke the deadlock with his first goal for Middlesbrough this season. His first touch threading the needle past the Coventry back line and his second finding the goal. Spence wrapped up proceedings by rounding Marosi for Middlesbrough’s third win and Coventry’s fifth defeat this season.

Teams:

Middlesbrough: Bettinelli, Fry, Dijksteel, McNair, Spence, Tavernier (Coulson 67′), Morsy, Howson, Saville, Roberts (Browne 67′), Assombalonga (C) 3-1-4-2

(Subs not used: Stojanovic, Bola, Wood, Johnson, Wing)

Coventry: Marosi, McFadzean (C), Hyam, Ostigard, McCallum, Giles, Shipley (Walker 77′), Sheaf, Godden, Allen (O’Hare 77′), Harmer 3-4-2-1

(Subs not used: Wilson, Dabo, Thompson, Kelly, Biamou)

Goals: Assombalonga 80′, Spence 90+4′

Referee: David Webb

Rotherham United will host South Yorkshire rivals Sheffield Wednesday on Wednesday evening with both teams wanting the bragging rights of beating the other.

Rotherham come into the game looking for their second win of the season after an opening day victory over Wycombe Wanderers. The Millers currently sit 18^th after 7 games with 6 points.

Sheffield Wednesday will be wanting to crack on with getting rid of their 12-point deduction at the start of the season. The Owls currently sit 24^th after 7 games with -4 points.

Both managers will be on the touchline at the AESSEAL New York Stadium as Millers manager, Paul Warne, returned from isolation for Saturday’s defeat to Reading and will have the battle with the Owls as his home return fixture.

Form:

Rotherham will be looking for a positive result against Wednesday after their 3-0 defeat to Reading at the weekend. The Millers played well at times and dominated possession, a rarity for the Millers in the Championship, and had more attempts at goal, but lacked the cutting edge in the final third. The better team won and won without dominating.

Current Form: DDLDL

Sheffield Wednesday will be looking to shake off back to back losses against Brentford and Luton Town, both by a one goal margin. Another game in which the dominant team lost, Wednesday had greater possession and more chances at goal against Luton at the weekend but saw out the final 15 minutes with 10 men. A draw would’ve been a fairer result.

Current Form: LDWLL

Head to Head record: ROT wins: 12, SHW wins: 20, Draws: 7

Last 3 meetings: Wednesday 2-2 Rotherham (8^th Dec 2017), Rotherham 2-2 Wednesday (16^th Feb 2019), Rotherham 0-1 Wednesday (28^th Aug 2019) (EFL CUP)

Record Rotherham Win: 3-5 (22^nd Sept 1951)

Record Sheff Wednesday Win: 5-0 (1^st Nov 1958) (23^rd Feb 1980)

Team News:

Chieo Ogbene and Clark Robertson remain the only long-term injuries at Rotherham.

Jamal Blackman picked up a foot injury against Nottingham Forest but played through the pain against Reading and will be okay for Wednesday.

Angus MacDonald sits out his final game of suspension and will be available for Stoke City on Saturday

Joost van Aken serves the first game of a suspension after getting sent off against Luton at the weekend.

Dominic Iorfa, Tom Lees and Izzy Brown were rested against Luton and could return to the squad to face Rotherham; however, the trio still remain a doubt.

Chey Dunkley and Osaze Urhoghide will sit out the South Yorkshire as they are injured

Prediction:

Rotherham will be looking to improve in the final third and take more of their opportunities at goal. Playing a 4-3-3 is a possibility to be more attacking as the 4-5-1 played at times against Reading hindered their goal threat. Also, the Millers way of playing football seems to be increasing in confidence game by game, but the lack of goals coming from the front is a growing concern. Rotherham will look to capitalise on the back to back losses of Wednesday and will try to find space on the wings for balls into the mixer. The more solid playing midfield will create chances, but will the attackers take their opportunities? That is the question.

Sheffield Wednesday will want to continue their push to wipe out their points deduction and have started positively winning 8 points from 7 and currently sit on -4 points. However, the recent wobble against Brentford and Luton will create a headache for manager, Gary Monk, as attacking pressure in the first half saw victory for Brentford and a second half mess up ended in victory for Luton. If Wednesday can maintain an attacking threat in the second half, they will see a route for winning against Rotherham who have conceded the majority of their goals in the second half.  

Predicted Rotherham starting 11: Blackman, Harding, Ihiekwe, Wood, Mattock, S MacDonald, Barlaser, Lindsay, Miller, Ladapo, Jozefzoon

Predicted Sheff Weds starting 11: Dawson, Odubajo, Flint, Borner, Harris, Pelupessy, Bannan, Reach, Marriott, Windass, Paterson

Score Prediction: Rotherham United 1-2 Sheffield Wednesday

READING maintained their unbeaten start with two well taken goals and an added time penalty.

The damage was done in the second half as Yakou Meite grabbed his second of the game with an acrobatic effort after a corner. His first effort towards the end of the first half beat the offside trap and slotted through Jamal Blackmans legs in another well taken effort.

The last action saw Meite hauled down in the area in an attempt to mitigate the damage by Rotherham, but the result was signed, sealed, and delivered with Lucas Joao striking low into the corner from 12 yards.

Rotherham played some good football at times with the result not reflecting how hard they worked in creating chances against the league leaders, but a lack of composure in the final third held Rotherham back in the second game they’ve failed to score in.

The first half was dominated by Rotherham possession and the Millers looked the more likely to score, but Reading had other ideas and scored with their first shot at goal.

The second half was much the same. Rotherham with higher possession, Reading grabbing a goal. Rotherham had an effort saved off the line before the Royals extended their lead. George Hirst striking with only his second touch.

Michael Ihiekwe went close as the clock ticked down, as did Michael Smith, who both saw their headers miss.

Finally, former Sheffield Wednesday forward, Joao, scored another goal against Rotherham, this time in horizontal strips instead of vertical ones.

Teams:

Reading: Rafael, Estevens, Richards, Moore (C), Morrison, Rinomhota, Laurent, Semedo(McIntyre 79′), Ejaria(Olise 64′), Meite, Puscas(Joao 64′)

(Subs not used: Southwood, Gibson, Tetek, Aluko)

Rotherham: Blackman, Harding (Ladapo 70′), Ihiekwe, Wood, Mattock, S MacDonald, Jozefzoon(Olosunde 63′), Lindsay(Hirst 61′), Barlaser, Wiles, Smith

(Subs not used: Johansson, Jones, Sadlier, Crooks)

Goals: Meite 41′, 78′, Joao 93′

Referee: Matt Donohue