If Carling did Saturday Afternoons....

Rotherham v AFC Wimbledon, Sat 3rd Feb, New York Stadium, 2-0

After the Brazilesque victory over Bradford there was a mini break for the Millers due to the FA cup and the fact that we are always out by this stage. During the mini break came the excitement/ farce that is the closing of the transfer window. In past years you could pass the New York Stadium just before 11pm on the 31st Jan and see the lights still on as the incumbent manager tried desperately to get a last minute deal ‘over the line’. This year, with Paul Warne in charge we were much more laid back and dignified. Michael Smi ith had already arrived early on in the month, and just after the Bradford game we paid an undisclosed sum for Burton midfielder Matthew Palmer. Not even giving the shirt time to cool off we gave him the magic number eight. Lee who? He also ensured the club has the full ginner quotient. The signing excited Vicky much more than it should. ‘Do you think he scores goals, he scores goals?’ she postulated. She really loves that song.

Happy chappy

A couple of days later Warne finished his business by claiming the signature on loan till the end of the season of blades ‘star’ Caolan Lavery. Pronounced Keelan. (?). 

Another happy chappy

The strikers arrival meant that we had too many so one had to go. How about a sick note who cant score due to lack of confidence? It was goodbye JCH, who returned to his first club Coventry, taking His catchy song with him.

A very scary chappy 

So as the transfer deadline clock ticked down, and Bradford and Wednesday desperately tried to sign a last minute striker, Warne was sat at home with a cigar and a glass of brandy. 

Saturday dawned cold, but we didn’t care because no football for two weeks is hell. We layered up and left a still sick kathy at home being looked after by Alex. Team news showed unchanged except Palmer in for an injured Towell, and Keelan taking the place on the bench recently vacated by JCH. The usuals were in place, Keith lording it again, shaking hands with all and sundry. To say they live a long way away there was a not bad turn out by the opposition. 

It seemed an easy game but the Dons had been on a good run of their own, four straight wins, so I wasn’t feeling over confident. In a shock move, presumably after Wimbledon won the toss, we started the match shooting the wrong way, i,e towards us. Just after kick off the giant scoreboard told us the first good news of the afternoon. Birmingham were winning at weds. A few minutes later their lead was doubled. Nice. Meanwhile, the Millers had started where they left off against Bradford, on the attack. Joe Newell in particular was on fire. After 14mins he danced effortlessly past three defenders and sent a pinpoint pass into the path of Michael Smi ith, who made no mistake. 1-0.

He scores goals

It seems shirt number 24 is proving lucky for the Millers this season

More glances at the big screen showed that other teams around us weren’t having as much luck. Our old friends Bradford, one place above, were losing at Oldham. And hey, Another Birmingham goal in S6.

Midway through the half Smi ith ducked his head to challenge for a ball and got a boot to the head. The Dons player was booked, but Smi ith, covered with blood, had to exit the field to be patched up, leaving us short up front. Nevertheless we managed to get to half-time 1-0 up. It wasn’t so lucky for weds who were 3-0 down. Shame.

Second half Wimbledon gave it a real good go. It was nip and tuck with chances at both ends. Michael Smi iths bloody nose was causing trouble with him constantly needing to be patched up, so Warne replaced him with Keelan. Wimbledon threw on some fresh players and we sent on Taylor And Williams. Both teams going for broke. With five minutes to go there was a feeling we were hanging on. The Dons had a couple of good chances before the Ginga newbie missed a sitter. The board went up, four minutes added time and all the home fans were urging the team to keep the ball in the corner. Keelan seemed to be doing just that, before doing three step overs, a back heel, and a Rabona, then playing a pinpoint pass to Williams. He had a shot which was parried by the keeper into the path of a pouncing DaBall. 2-0. 

Dayvid Ball, always believing he’ll score

There was barely time for the game to restart before the final whistle went. A sigh of relief went round the ground as The Dons had proved to be tough opponents. Ten games unbeaten, three clean sheets in a row, scored in last 23 games. And what do you know, almost all the teams around us lost too! Including the team above us, Bradford, who we leapfrogged. It was a very near perfect Saturday afternoon. The only blot was a last minute winner for Scunny, the next team in our sights. Scunny who we play next Saturday.

Man of the match

Ian - Semi Ajayi

Vicky - joe Newell

Jackie - Joe ‘Messi’ Newell

Guest Kathy - joe ‘my favourite player’ Newell