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Shrewsbury v Rotherham, Montgomery Waters Meadow, Sat 17th Feb, 0-1

 We decided to make a weekend of it for our first ever visit to the snappily named Montgomery Waters Meadow. After work on Friday we made our way to the Travelodge just off the M54 in Telford. We arrived at 10pm, time for a swift half in the Toby Inn next door? Not when it’s already closed! They must retire early in Telford. We did get a nice Full English there on Saturday morning though.

Our very pleasant Telford Travelodge and Toby Carvery

On arrival in Shrewsbury we headed for the more upmarket Premier Inn, and it’s car park of tiny little spaces. Ian managed to deftly manoeuvre into a mini sized space, but then had to climb into the back to get out. No need for the car for the rest of the day though as we met Wooly and Caroline in Shrewsbury’s quaint centre. We also met these guys

And my personal favourite

We viewed some churches and the Abbey before wooly decided it was time for beer. Ian concurred and we ended up having a dinner time drink in a quaint old place, and a good long chat with three Shrewsbury fans up from Newtown in Welsh Wales. They advised a taxi to the ground, about a mile and a half out of town, but there were none to be had. We decided on the walk. We were all layered up but it was really warm, and Vicky needed the loo, so we called at a pub on the way and got talking to two Shrewsbury fans from Hartlepool. We got the impression that most Shrewsbury fans are glory hunters. On we pressed, along the quaintly named Paul Hurst way, eventually arriving at Montgomery Waters Meadow.

Around 1200 Millers had made the trek to Shropshire

There we are, sunbathing in Shrewsbury

The game itself was a game of two managers both of whom were Millers legends. Paul Warne needs no introduction. Paul Hurst, Rotherham’s all time appearance record holder and winner of the AutoWindscreens trophy,  had lost a lot of our respect when his side played at the New York earlier in the season with their spoiling tactics.

Hurst, next to the trophy (no wig), in happier times

Another member of the Shrewsbury ranks to not endear himself to Millers was their keeper, Dean Henderson, on loan from Man United. Prior to this game our players noticed that on Twitter he referred to himself as ‘the greatest’, a lofty claim. Warne made just the one enforced change, Mike replacing the not yet fit Joe Mattock. Top of the table Shrewsbury would prove to be a stern test, and our unbeaten run would be tested. 

The game itself was one to forget, the pitch was the same, but our team applied themselves in the manner to which we have become accustomed, giving  100% effort. After half an hour we forced a corner which was cleared to Joe Newell who hoisted it back in. ‘The Greatest’ came to collect it, only to miss it completely. The ball dropped to Richard Wood on the six yard box, who showed poise and elegance to steer it home. 1-0 the Millers, And cue his magic hat.

While most of his team mates were celebrating, Will Vaulkes was busy giving the keeper a few words about his flap. Shrewsbury troubled us very little, just a couple of chances when Marek Rodak managed to smother shots, and in the second half, when ‘The chosen One’ sliced a clearance, we could all see Michael Smi ith giving him grief about it. The ref finally brought the game to an end amid huge cheers and much singing of ‘Richard Wood is Magic’ and ‘EIEIEIO’. As we left the ground in high spirits, we noticed three guys trying to hide themselves amongst the throng. The three fans we had met in the first pub. Naturally we needed to give them our best wishes. They blamed the ref, the pitch, our dirty players. We just smiled benignly and wished them well. 

Our unbeaten run goes on. We have won the last six. Scored in 26 consecutive games. Are the countries form team. And have cemented that playoff place. Dean Henderson has removed the words ‘The Greatest’ from his twitter account.

Next up, a local derby as Donny come to town

Man of the match

Ian - The whole team!

Jackie - Ayaji, majestic in defence

Vicky - Richard wood and his magic hat

Toilet watch

Lots of cubicles, toilet just a metal bowel, no hot water. 5/10