Tuesday 26 August 2014
SWANSEA V MILLERS 26-08-2014
JUST GROUND PHOTO'S FROM SWANSEA 1 ROTHERHAM UNITED 0 LEAGUE CUP AUGUST 26TH 2014
Friday 22 August 2014
MILLWALL V MILLERS 23.08.2014
MILLWALL 0 V 1 ROTHERHAM UNITED
SATURDAY 23RD AUGUST 2014
FOOTBALL LEAGUE CHAMPIONSHIP
GATE 10,282 (410 AWAY FANS)
THE HISTORY
My 8th visit to the New Den, having witnessed 4 defeats, 1 draw and 2 victories on previous trips.
This latest venture coming over 33 years after my one and only trip to the not so welcoming Old Den.
The highlight of all my previous games at Millwall was undoubtedly the 6-0 Millers win on the opening day of the 2002-2003 season.
Darren Byfield, who was to make a move to the Lions later in his career, netted 4 times in this stunning victory.
Held back 45 minutes after the game, i was becoming increasingly nervous about the reception our fans would get outside the Stadium, but amazingly we were applauded away by the stunned but appreciative Millwall fans.
The one game to forget was in April 2001.
The Millers and Millwall would battle out the final games of the season to claim the League One Championship, and this 4-0 win for the home side went a long way to send the Trophy to South London.
Inside the Ground that day, the atmosphere was intense and intimidating for the travelling Millers, as Tribal style music was boomed out ear-splittingly loud through the away end tannoy.
The cut throat gestures from some of the home fans to our left didn't help settle the nerves either, and it was just one of those games you wanted to hurry up and finish regardless of the result.
THE BACKGROUND
Millwall went into this game on the back of a 12 game unbeaten run, dating back to March 25th when they lost 3-2 at home to Birmingham City.
They sat proudly in 3rd place after taking 7 points from the first 3 games of the season, although it took a 95th minute equaliser to snatch a point at Hillsborough 4 days earlier.
The Millers were in 18th position with one win and 2 defeats to show from our first 3 games back in the 2nd tier of English Football after a 9 year absence.
2 days prior to the Millwall game we lost the services of last season's 26 goal top scorer, Kieran Agard, to Bristol City for a fee reported to be around the Million pound mark, but we can still call on the firepower of Mr Perpetual motion, Alex Revell, the higher League experience of Matt Derbyshire and the free scoring midfield
duo of Ben Pringle and Lee Frecklington to name just a few, to try and bridge that goalscoring gap.
THE MANAGERS
Ian Holloway and Steve Evans, both 51 years old.
Holloway had an 600+ game playing career which included 3 spells with his hometown club Bristol Rovers and 5 years in the top tier with QPR.
A knee ligament injury ended Steve Evans playing career aged just 24 after serving 5 Scottish clubs.
"Ollie" has since taken charge of well over 800 games as manager of various sides, but his finest hours came as he led firstly Blackpool and then Crystal Palace to promotion to the Premier League.
Steve Evans well publicised off the field activities overshadowed the 3 promotions he won around the turn of the Century at Stamford and Boston, but he won the hearts and support of 2 sets of fans as he achieved 2 back to back promotions in the last 4 seasons, taking Crawley from the Conference to League One in successive seasons before repeating the feat by taking Rotherham United from League Two up to the Championship.
THE JOURNEY
The 360 mile round trip started at 8am as i boarded the Colin Campbell supporters bus just a couple of hundred yards from Rotherham Railway Station.
After picking up the remainder of the travellers from the Colin Campbell Pub, a couple of miles from the Town Centre, we set off for South London at 8.15.
Other than a small delay for a accident just 10 mile North of Grantham involving an articulated Lorry and 3 or 4 cars, we had a trouble free journey down, stopping for half an hour at Peterbrough Services which had been taken over by Leeds Rugby Supporters on their way to Wembley.
On route, i bought the programme (£3) and the latest copy of the Millwall Fanzine, "I left my heart at Cold Blow Lane". (£2)
Whilst snapping away, Millwall boss Ian Holloway came out to meet friends, and i took the opportunity to get the Programme signed by him and have my picture taken with him.
He didn't utter a single word to me but at least he oblidged with the pic and signature.
Just after this our team bus arrived and i took a few pics of the players getting off and wished Steve Evans the best of luck for the game.
I then made my way back round to the away end to await the turnstiles opening with the rest of the travelling Millers contingent.
Entering the Ground i purchased a Steak n Ale pie and a cold drink which totalled £5.40, and the very tasty Pie was worth the money alone.
Up to the seats, and i made my way to the front row of the upper tier to enable me to take better photo's.
Several pics of the Ground and the Millers players warming up were taken, and then it was time for the main part of the day's proceedings.
THE MATCH
Just one enforced change for Rotherham, as Thursday's new signing from Ipswich, Anthony Wordsworth, made an immediate debut in place of Paul Green who was injured in the midweek defeat v Watford.
The Millers kicked the match off on Referee Paul Tiernay's whistle and began the game the stronger outfit and produced the first real effort of the afternoon.
A Ben Pringle corner was only half cleared, and the ball fell invitingly to the heavily bearded debutant Wordsworth, who's half volley flew despairingly just over the crossbar.
The home side gradually clawed their way back into the game after a strong Millers start, but despite enjoying the Lions share (sorry, i had to get that in somewhere) of the possession, they only mustered one clear chance.
A left sided cross from Lee Martin dipped towards veteran striker Ricardo Fuller on the far post, but under heavy pressure from the excellent Millers defence, the Jamaican failed to position his header towards goal.
Edging towards the interval, and it was the visitors who finished the half with a flourish and came desperately close to taking the lead as a Paul Taylor shot was only parried by Millwall keeper David Forde and Alex Revell just failed to open the scoring fron close range.
HALF TIME MILLWALL 0 ROTHERHAM UNITED 0
Into the second half and the momentum stayed with Rotherham, as our heroes kicked towards the 410 Millers fans seated in the North Stand, and we finally punished Millwall in the 50th minute.
The midfield dynamo Paul Taylor jinked his way down the left flank and a deep cross was helped on by Alex Revell and fell at the far post for Ben Pringle who had the simple but important task of tapping home from close range.
His celebration dance left a lot to be desired, but it seemed to be aimed at somebody sat in the Main Stand, as he gestured towards that area whilst dancing more like John Motson than John Travolta. (Sorry Ben)
The scorer could've doubled his afternoon's tally later on as a powered half volley from outside the box was superbly palmed away by Lions Keeper Forde.
Millwall just couldn't break down the Millers defensive barriers, with centre-back partners Kari Arnason and Craig Morgan in outstanding form.
Joe Skarz, another excellent performer on the day, then became the latest casualty as he cleared a Scott McDonald cross under pressure, and he hobbled off to be replaced by fellow defender Richard Wood.
Another contender for Millers man of the Match was Paul Taylor who teased and tormented down the left throughout the game.
Ben Pringle and Alex Revell received individual standing ovations as they were replaced in the final minutes of the game to make way for Richard Brindley and Jordan Bowery.
Then after the seemingly never ending 5 minutes added on time, Mr Tiernay did something right for the first time this afternoon and blew the final whistle to leave the Millers players and staff to come and show their appreciation for the delighted Millers following.
THE TEAMS
Other than a small delay for a accident just 10 mile North of Grantham involving an articulated Lorry and 3 or 4 cars, we had a trouble free journey down, stopping for half an hour at Peterbrough Services which had been taken over by Leeds Rugby Supporters on their way to Wembley.
THE STADIUM
We arrived at The New Den around 1pm and some of our fans made their way to local pubs, one or two to the Club Shop for badges, while i made my way round to the front of the Barry Kitchener tributed Main stand to take photo's.On route, i bought the programme (£3) and the latest copy of the Millwall Fanzine, "I left my heart at Cold Blow Lane". (£2)
Whilst snapping away, Millwall boss Ian Holloway came out to meet friends, and i took the opportunity to get the Programme signed by him and have my picture taken with him.
He didn't utter a single word to me but at least he oblidged with the pic and signature.
Just after this our team bus arrived and i took a few pics of the players getting off and wished Steve Evans the best of luck for the game.
I then made my way back round to the away end to await the turnstiles opening with the rest of the travelling Millers contingent.
Entering the Ground i purchased a Steak n Ale pie and a cold drink which totalled £5.40, and the very tasty Pie was worth the money alone.
Up to the seats, and i made my way to the front row of the upper tier to enable me to take better photo's.
Several pics of the Ground and the Millers players warming up were taken, and then it was time for the main part of the day's proceedings.
THE MATCH
Just one enforced change for Rotherham, as Thursday's new signing from Ipswich, Anthony Wordsworth, made an immediate debut in place of Paul Green who was injured in the midweek defeat v Watford.
The Millers kicked the match off on Referee Paul Tiernay's whistle and began the game the stronger outfit and produced the first real effort of the afternoon.
A Ben Pringle corner was only half cleared, and the ball fell invitingly to the heavily bearded debutant Wordsworth, who's half volley flew despairingly just over the crossbar.
The home side gradually clawed their way back into the game after a strong Millers start, but despite enjoying the Lions share (sorry, i had to get that in somewhere) of the possession, they only mustered one clear chance.
A left sided cross from Lee Martin dipped towards veteran striker Ricardo Fuller on the far post, but under heavy pressure from the excellent Millers defence, the Jamaican failed to position his header towards goal.
Edging towards the interval, and it was the visitors who finished the half with a flourish and came desperately close to taking the lead as a Paul Taylor shot was only parried by Millwall keeper David Forde and Alex Revell just failed to open the scoring fron close range.
HALF TIME MILLWALL 0 ROTHERHAM UNITED 0
Into the second half and the momentum stayed with Rotherham, as our heroes kicked towards the 410 Millers fans seated in the North Stand, and we finally punished Millwall in the 50th minute.
The midfield dynamo Paul Taylor jinked his way down the left flank and a deep cross was helped on by Alex Revell and fell at the far post for Ben Pringle who had the simple but important task of tapping home from close range.
His celebration dance left a lot to be desired, but it seemed to be aimed at somebody sat in the Main Stand, as he gestured towards that area whilst dancing more like John Motson than John Travolta. (Sorry Ben)
The scorer could've doubled his afternoon's tally later on as a powered half volley from outside the box was superbly palmed away by Lions Keeper Forde.
Millwall just couldn't break down the Millers defensive barriers, with centre-back partners Kari Arnason and Craig Morgan in outstanding form.
Joe Skarz, another excellent performer on the day, then became the latest casualty as he cleared a Scott McDonald cross under pressure, and he hobbled off to be replaced by fellow defender Richard Wood.
Another contender for Millers man of the Match was Paul Taylor who teased and tormented down the left throughout the game.
Ben Pringle and Alex Revell received individual standing ovations as they were replaced in the final minutes of the game to make way for Richard Brindley and Jordan Bowery.
Then after the seemingly never ending 5 minutes added on time, Mr Tiernay did something right for the first time this afternoon and blew the final whistle to leave the Millers players and staff to come and show their appreciation for the delighted Millers following.
THE TEAMS
Millwall: Forde, Edwards, Dunne, Beevers, Malone, Woolford, Wright (Gueye 51), Williams, Martin (Easter 72), McDonald, Fuller (Gregory 84)
Subs not used: Gerrar, Briggs, Webster, Abdou
Rotherham: Collin, Broadfoot, Morgan, Arnason, Skarz (Wood 81), Taylor, Smallwood, Frecklington, Pringle (Brindley 90), Wordsworth, Revell (Bowery 87)
Subs not used: Loach, Tidser, Swift, Derbyshire
THE VERDICT
Millwall may have seen more of the ball and the play, but the Millers were resolute and commited to the cause.
It definitely wasn't backs to the wall after our opener as we continued to push and tried to look for a killer second, but when our defence was called upon to do their duty, they did it with aplomb.
Excellent showing from the Millers as we notched our first away victory of the season, and we go into Tuesday's League Cup tie at Premiership Swansea City with renewed confidence.
THE PHOTO'S
THE PHOTO'S
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