Rotherham v Doncaster Rovers, Sat 24th Feb, New York Stadium, 2-1
Cast your mind back to earlier in the season and a game at the Keepmoat stadium where Donny spent the whole game after they had scored wasting time. A certain Keiffer Moore (remember him) scored in Fergie time, named after the present Donny managers dad, to level the score at 1-1 and quiet the Donny fans. The goal was timed at 90+6.
Fortunes have changed since then, when both teams were in mid table. We have gone on a long unbeaten run to rise up fourth, Donny Are still in mid table. Some things, however, haven’t changed at all
The day brought an early start for me, a 3.30am departure to Doncaster airport where I dropped Ian, Chris, kathy, and Alex. All off on their skiing holiday. I jumped straight back in bed when I got home, then resurfaced around 9am, refreshed and ready. After a morning of cleaning and hoovering, vicky and I layered up and took a steady walk down to the New York where we met James and handed over Ian’s season ticket. The match, being a local derby, was a sell out, and both sets of fans were in good voice.
Donny fans
In the build up to the game Fergie junior had a lot to say about Rotherham’s style of play. He implied we are a team of giant, dirty players who just boot the ball forward. In the first half Donny just booted the ball forward, in between wasting time. They also, however, harried our skilful players not giving them time to pass. Never mind, at least they wouldn’t get past our world class defence to score. Not until Semi made his customary mistake. Trying to do a little backheel he gifted the ball to Rovers and striker John Marquiss fired home. 1-0 to Donny and the Millers were up against it. We had a couple of chances after but Donny were playing us well, and we weren’t our usual selves. Half time came with Donny still leading. Not a good half for us.
Shortly after the restart Michael Smi ith was chasing a lost cause when there was a sickening collision between their keeper and defender. We were up close and could see the guy had got a knee to the head and looked in a bad way. It took ten minutes to get him on a board, then a stretcher, and all the time the row behind were moaning about them time wasting. Even Keith was getting annoyed. Shortly after the stretcher left from that incident, Richard Wood put in a fair, but meaty, tackle on a Donny player. He was left in a heap and also left on a stretcher. After another 6 minute stoppage.
As the half drew on the Millers started to come into the game more and more, and Donny resorted more and more to wasting time. Newell and Forde were starting to get crosses in, and you felt that a goal was coming. Still, Donny resisted doggedly. A Ritchie Towell shot was blocked on the line, as was a fierce drive by Joe Newell. We had corner after corner. Ryan Williams came on for Forde. Lavery for DaBall. The crowd upped the noise levels, and it reached a crescendo when the board went up. There were to be 12 (twelve) minutes of added time. Warne went all in by taking off Wood and putting on Palmer. Williams won a free kick on the right, and Donny decide to make a substitution. Two things of note occurred because of this substitution. The player coming off was James Coppinger. If you think back to the game at the keep moat earlier in the season, it was the substitution of Coppinger and his resulting lap of honour that caused the ref to add time onto the added time, during which Moore scored. This time Coppinger had wandered over to the far side of the pitch and took an age to go off, milking the applause all the way. Deja vu. The other thing of note. Everyone says never to make a substitution when defending a set piece. With 90+4 on the clock, Joe Newell took the kick and placed it right on the head of Michael Smi ith. 1-1
At least our unbeaten run was intact. Still, this Rotherham team doesn’t accept defeat, or a draw, and they still had eight minutes left. It was eight minutes of relentless Millers pressure, the crowd roaring them on. They gave everything, but with the twelve minutes over it appeared Donny had hung on. Still, there was Coppinger time. As the ref added on the extra minute Keelan harried a donny player into losing the ball and had a shot. The keeper parried, then bustled over Smi ith as he tried to get to the stray ball. We held our breathe, the ref had a look then pointed to the spot. Penalty!
Michael is fouled for the pen
With penalty taker David Ball having been subbed off, not even Paul Warne knew who would take it. I saw Ritchie Towell calling for the ball, but it was Joe Newell who placed it on the spot. The Donny keeper was booked for feigning an injury before a hush fell around the ground. Joe Mattock turned his back. Joe Newell stepped forward and slotted the ball to the keepers right. GOOOAAAAALLLLLL! 90+13, And 2-1 to the Millers. Cue scenes that rivalled any seen at the New York with a mini pitch invasion and me and Keith sharing a hug. (OMOTE had already left)
Joe steps up...
And scores!
Does a knee slide into his new best friend....
Is joined by a few more
And a few more
Donny players are distraught
The ref didn’t even have time to kick off again before blowing for full time. We had won at the very death in one of the most dramatic finishes in New York history. Fans and players saluted each other in delight and EIEIEIO rang around the stadium. Fourteen unbeaten, seven wins in a row, and god knows how long since we failed to score. What a day. I still haven’t come down a week later.
Next up Rochdale at home as Gillingham away is postponed due to Snowmageddon. And, Ian. James says thanks!
Man of the match
Jackie - Towell, magnificent
Vicky - Towell
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