Rotherham United 2 Brentford 4
Taylor (20) Motokjo (2, 75)
Ngoyo (og 73) Benrahma (53)
Maupay (85)
Rotherham United slipped to another their first home defeat of the new year this afternoon at the New York Stadium while handing Brentford their first away win of the campaign in a game that saw six goals.
Brentford were straight out of the box and with the game less than two minutes old when the Millers defence were found wanting after some good work from Rico Henry sent Said Benrahma on his way who in turn sent a lovely ball in front of Kamohelo Mokotjo who slipped the ball into the back of the net. It might have been two minutes later but for some good goalkeeping by Marek Rodak who cleared a cross from Benrahama before it could do any further damage. At the other end the Millers had a chance when skipper Will Vaulks shot from distance but it was an easy catch for Bees’ ‘keeper Daniel Bentley. After an indifferent Anthony Forde corner the visitors very nearly capitalised on it but for some quick thinking and good work from Ben Wiles. With twenty minutes gone the hosts were back in the game after a Forde corner was turned away by the Bees defence it fell to Jon Taylor on the edge of the box who saw his shot beat the outstretched hand of Bentley and fly into the top corner of the net to make it one-one. Another chance for the hosts minutes later came after some good work from Zak Vyner who found the head of Michael Smith in the area but the Millers forward saw his header go just over the crossbar. At the other end Clark Robertson did well to get in the way of a shot from Neal Maupay before the visitors appeal for a penalty after Maupay went down under a challenge from Robertson was turned down by referee Harrington. Rotherham might have taken the lead when more good work from Vyner saw him again find the head of Smith but he was hustled off the ball only for it to fall to Taylor who let fly only for the ball to whistle past the upright. Minutes later it really should have been two-one when Vaulks ball in found Robertson who saw his shot finely pushed away by Bentley only for it to fall to Semi Ajayi who seem to mis-kick a sitter on the goal line and instead of the ball being in the back of the net it went wide. As the half came to a close Robertson saw a header saved while up the other end Rodak did well to get down to smother a shot from Benrahma.
Brentford came out the busier for the second half and were unlucky not to score after some good work from Yoann Barbet the Millers defencer were at sixes-and-sevens and when the ball eventually fell to Neal Maupay he somehow put the ball wide when it looked easier to score. Rico Henry and Ollie Watkins worked well with the latter having a shot blocked before the Bees went back in front after Romaine Sawyers sent a superb ball through to Said Benrahma had enough space and time to place the ball into the bottom corner of the net. And the Millers didn’t take heed because not two minutes later Maupay put a similar ball in for the Algerian but this time he was too ambitious and put it wide. At the other end Ben Wiles saw a shot put behind to safety with the following Anthony Forde corner finding the head of Clark Robertson but Daniel Bentley was equal to it. On the hour mark the Millers brought on Matt Crooks for his debut replacing Wiles and he came close to sending Jon Taylor clear but the ball was deflected away from the Millers winger. At the other end Watkins sent Rico Henry on his way but he dragged his shot wide. The hosts came close to getting an equaliser after a Richie Towell cross found the head of Robertson but put the ball wide. But a minute later the Millers were level after another Towell cross into the box found Robertson whose header at goal came off Ezri Konsa Ngoyo and made it two-all. But Rotherham’s joy was short lived when straight from the re-start Brentford set off down the other end of the pitch and with the Millers defence appearing to be admiring the football a cross from Henry found Kamohelo Mokotjo who made it three-two. Sergi Canos replaced Said Benrahma for Brentford and Jerry Yates came on for the Millers replacing Zak Vyner. Jon Taylor twice tried his luck from outside the box before Maupay came close just putting the ball wide. Yates was shown a yellow card for a foul which seemed very picky before Maupay again was given too much space and only some good ‘keeping from Marek Rodak kept his shot out. A cross from Yates found the head of Semi Ajayi but the tall Nigerian couldn’t keep the ball down while down the other end Rodak did well again to keep out Canos. But with five minutes to go he could do nothing after Canos walked into the Rotherham area and sent a perfect ball to Maupay who said ‘thank you very much’ and made it four-two. Kyle Vassell came on for Anthony Forde while Brentford brought on Chiedozie Ogbene and Josh Da Silva for Ollie Watkins and Kamohelo Mokotjo but there was no more action in the game.
Just where do we go from here? We just don’t seem able to stop teams coming at us and scoring. Man the covers boys for I feel we’re sinking fast.
Referee – Tony Harrington
Crowd – 8,319 (606 Bees Fans)
