CITY MILLERED AT MILLMOOR

Maybe a degree of complacency had set in after the team’s recent unbeaten run OR maybe Rotherham where more up for the match after their financial worries were eased OR maybe the vociferous, larger than normal, crowd inspired the home side !!

Whatever the reason, a lethargic looking City were deservedly beaten by Rotherham United in yesterday’s league one tussle in Yorkshire.

Rotherham made the early running and could have gone ahead on seven minutes when Steve Quinn shot over the bar when given a clear opportunity to score. City retaliated with a long shot from Brooker but the home side still looked the more likely to break the deadlock and, so it proved when, after 27 minutes Paul Shaw. who had just been introduced for the injured McLaren, set up Forte to score at the far post.

City came back with efforts by Cotterill and Murray but the Robin’s rearguard , so solid in recent matches, was looking decidedly shaky, and it was not really a surprise when Shaw charged down a poor Fontaine clearance, more than a hint of handball here, before shooting past Basso to double the home side’s advantage just before the break.

Murray, struggling with a knee injury, was replaced by Wilkshire for the second half and Mark McCammon replaced the ineffective Bas Savage. Gary Johnson had fired a salvo or two in the half time break, sending the team back out with the message that the game was not yet lost, an early goal would make Rotherham and their crowd nervous increasing City’s chances of a comeback.

City failed to heed the message , however, and within two minutes of the restart the game was effectively decided when Forte crashed home his second goal of the afternoon.

Cotterill, having one of his quiet days, was replaced by Scott Brown on the hour mark, but Rotherham continued to look comfortable and it was something of a surprise that
City did have the last say when, ten minutes from the end, Skuse score his second goal in two games, slotting in a rebound after Rotherham keeper Montgomery had failed to hold a shot from McCammon.

Rotherham comfortably held on to record a deserved victory and leave City disappointed and still not completely sure of first division survival. Perhaps the required three points are destined to arrive from next week’s local derby with Gary Johnson’s old side Yeovil Town. One thing is certain, City will have to play a lot better than at Millmoor to beat the Glovers who will be fighting for their lives- should be a great match, so get yourself down to the Gate !!