Arrogance

Rotherham v Rochdale, New York Stadium, sat 10th March. 0-1

Keith Hill was in town for the visit of Rochdale. Their manager, a nasty piece of work, hates all things Rotherham United. This stems from our Don Valley days when his team were required to play on a pitch ripped to shreds by the previous days U2 concert. Not our fault, same for both teams, we won, with Paul Warnes last ever goal. He sulked. Hill had already taken an exception to us after he was unhappy at our spending in the first two years after exiting our second administration at the end of the 2000s. 

Ah Don valley, those were the days

Keith hill crying cos his Rochdale team can only play on a carpet

Meanwhile, we were on fire, having won our last seven and not being beat in aggggggeees. We could all see it coming.

Warne obviously named an unchanged side. Everyone was on top form. The strikers were scoring. The wingers flying down the wing. The defenders defending to within an inch of their life. Rochdale were nearly bottom, although they had had a couple of wins recently. There would surely be only one outcome.

We layered up And walked down with Ian back from his trip to France. All the usuals were there and we took our seats with light hearts and great expectations. The referee, a Mr Graham Salisbury, looked like he enjoyed a nice pie and chips. That was our first inkling maybe things wouldn’t go our way. As the game kicked off we got our second. Rochdale looked the better side. They harried and hassled and we just couldn’t get going. Our super wingers were way off form meaning the strikers didn’t get a sniff. The defence, even Semi, looked shaky. We hung on till just before half time, when we won a corner. Up rose Richard Wood to head home. Fat Mr S pointed to the centre circle, then changed his mind and unbelievably disallowed the goal for a foul on the keeper. Later, viewing the highlights, it transpired that the foul on the keeper was by his own player. Wrong decision.

Richard scores..

Celebrates.....

Mr S explains that he saw something that didn’t happen

0-0 at half time and it was all downhill from there. 

After the break we huffed And puffed some more and eventually got a corner. Typical of the day it broke to a Rochdale player who fed it down the middle and the quick break resulted in a goal. There was no way back, although the guys gave it their all. 

The day ended in a massive disappointment. The end of our run, and the first time we haven’t scored for almost thirty games. Keith Hill felt Rotherham were arrogant, something we haven’t been accused of before, and something we most certainly aren’t. Can’t wait to play one of his sides again and wipe that smug smile off his face. Next up Milton Keynes Dons. 

Man of the match

Ian - Rodak

Jackie - smith

Vicky - Rodak

Guest reviewer Kathy  - Rodak ( I always said he would come to good things)