Super Sub Gets Win For Millers

Drewe Broughton came off the subs bench to score the only goal of the game this afternoon at Don Valley which gave Rotherham United their highest league position of the season so far. The Millers, down to ten men in twenty-two minutes, got all three points at this Boxing Day game after Broughton came on for a tiring Richie Barker.

The Millers started the game the more lively but it was the visitors who had the first chance at goal when they were awarded a free kick. Dave Brammer hit it well but David Stockdale managed to push it round the post. At the other end the Millers had, what looked like a good shout, for a penalty. Jamie Green’s shot appeared to hit the rising hand of Luke Prosser in the penalty area but despite shouts from the crowd and players, referee, Carl Boyeson waved the appeal away. Minutes later, at the other end, David Howland got the ball into the area and Ian Sharps seemed to lean on Kyle Perry who went down. Anxious Millers eyes went straight to Mr Boyeson but, once again, he shook his head. The Millers first real shot came on the twentieth minute when Jamie Green passed the perfect ball to Richie Barker. Unfortunately, Barker seemed to get the ball under his feet and it stumbled into Joe Anyon’s arms in Vale’s goal. Then came a moment of madness from defender, Marc Joseph when he tried a backpass to Stockdale. Kyle Perry nipped in and got the ball but as he was preparing to shoot, Joseph pulled him back giving the referee no option but to show a red card. Ten minutes before half-time, the Millers had more bad news when striker Mark Burchill limped off to be replaced by Ryan Taylor. But, Vale couldn’t make their man advantage pay and it was still nil-nil at half time.

Neither team seemed adventurous during the second half and it was on the hour mark before the Millers started to pass the ball when Dale Tonge passed to Danny Harrison but his thirty yard shot was tame and bobbled into Anyon’s arms. Barker then made way for Broughton. Danny Glover, on for Dave Howland, had a chance for the visitors but his cross-cum-shot cleared the Millers bar. And then, on the sixty-sixth minute, the deadlock was broken. Nick Fenton delivered a good ball over the top and Drewe Broughton ran through on goal and flicked the ball past Anyon to put the Millers into the lead. A few minutes later, Broughton could have had his second when a powerful shot went straight into Anyon’s arms. A free-kick from Mark Hudson found Ian Sharps head but his header only floated to Anyon. As the Millers were celebrating a win Vale almost got an equaliser when Glover burst through on goal and only a brave diving save from Stockdale kept the three points with the home side.

A good and well needed three points today