The sky's the limit

Portsmouth vs Rotherham, Fratton Park, Sunday 3rd Sept, 0-1

Did you know that the Millers haven't won away from home in 17months? Not since we beat MK Dons at the end of the 15-16 season to secure our championship place. 

When the fixtures were released we had the intention of travelling down to Southampton to visit Kathy, and taking in the game. Kathy had the intention of travelling up to us to attend Mels hen do in Manchester, so that plan was abandoned. Plan B was formulated when the match was announce as a Sky Live game. Good that we could watch, but bad that everyone else would see how bad we can be. It would also be the first time that we came across Kenny Jacket, now Portsmouth manager, and the guy who walked out on us after only 36 days last season. He is not well liked in Rotherham.

The day dawned brightish and sunnyish, with Vicky in Chippenham, Kathy in Manchester, and Chris preparing to leave for China. I pottered around getting more and more nervous till the time arrived to turn on Sky, and Little Scott. Because it's the EFL and not the premier league, the commentators are strictly B list, the lead presenter being Little Scott Minto. As we all know, Little Scott is a former Rotherham player, and is really sweet. With him in the studio was Keith Andrew. ?. As the build up began Kathy returned from the hen do and settled down to watch her favourite team with us. 'Rotherham haven't won away for 17 months' said Keith. 'So they haven't got a prayer really'. Well, not in so many words, but that's what he meant. 'I won't be biased at all!' Said lovely LS. Awww! 

Little Scott

Unknown Keith 

Big team news was that Paul Warne had changed all the back four except Mike after the Charlton debacle, giving a debut to Cummings (first name unknown) who we had got from Millwall. It had also been announced that Proctor would be out for the season having done his ACL, so Keiffer would be alone up front.

Preamble over, LS crossed to the commentators, with Gary Birtles as expert summerizer.

My pitchside view

'Did you know that Rotherham haven't won away for 17months' said Gary. 

Portsmouth started the better, but we began to get into the game, with Jon Taylor causing problems. 'Well you wouldn't know they haven't won away in 17months, they look Ok', Gary sputtered. Taylor beat two men then put in a good cross that was well blocked. 'No end product' yelled ian, before leaving to take Chris to the station. The door closed as Ryan Williams slid a point blank ball through to Jon, who lashed it into the net at the near post. 0-1 Rotherham. An emphatic end product by Jon Taylor.

Ryan and Jon celebrate proving Ian wrong

'Wow, you wouldn't know they haven't won away in 17 months' exclaimed Gary. 'And that Jon Taylor is a star!'.

We managed to get to half time with only another dozen or so mentions of THAT record, and no threat at all from Portsmouth. So far so good. 

Back in the studio, LS began by giving us a statistic that you wouldn't believe having watched that half. Keith backed him up by repeating it, twice. There would be a lot to do In the second half in order to break that unwanted record that cannot be named.

The Jackett made two changes at half time, we had obviously scared them. It made a difference too as we were on the back foot for most of the half. We had some defending to do if we were to get our first away win in 17 months ( quote Gary Birtles) . Luckily the new back four stood firm. Williams went off with  a back injury, then Taylor suffered a dead leg. A Portsmouth striker got caught in the face in the area by Mikes boot, but no penalty said the excellent ref. 

His head is very low!

Bad news for us was that he needed 'The Bandage'. The team that sports 'The Bandage' invariably wins. Good news was that he didn't last long after that. 'Rotherham could win here for their first away win in 17 months' yelled Gary. The last 15mins were nerve wracking. 'This Rotherham defence is amazing, they could win away for the first time in 17months' Gary decreed. Defence, amazing. Two words not very often heard together in relation to RUFC. 

Due to outrageous time wasting of the like not seen since the last time one team was ahead by one goal, the average ref signalled 6 (six) minutes of added time. 'Only 6 minutes to hang on for their first away win in 17months' an excited Gary chirped. 'Surely they will win now' kathy said. 'If we get to 5 mins without conceding I will believe we can draw' I replied. Portsmouth launched the ball forward a few times but our rock solid defence (teehee) repelled them each time. Finally the ref blew his whistle. Scenes of jubilation scrolled over our screen. 'That is Rotherham's first Away win in 17 months', Gary stated. The 400 travelling fans were jubilant. What a game!

Next up, Bury

Man of the match

Ian - Taylor

Jackie - Jon Taylor 

Vicky - Jon taylor 

And a guest appearance from 

Kathy - Jon Taylor

Let's leave the last word to Keith, post match

'He played a great solo role upfront did Kemar Roofe' . 🤔