Liquid football

Northampton v Rotherham, Sixfields, sat March 17th, 0-3

After the two recent disappointing results, we headed for Sixfields to try to steady the boat. Overnight snow meant us checking the web to see if the match was off (you can but hope!), but that wasn’t to be. We decided against the munchbox in favour of brunch as we would be meaning Christine then having an early tea after the game. She had booked us in at a nearby carvery who kindly allowed us to park there. As we walked down to the stadium we got our first inkling of how cold it would be. Snow swirled in the biting wind. Luckily I was well layered up and didn’t feel it too much. Christine didn’t even have a hat!

As usual, there was a large away following but we found some good seats on the second row. Eventually some guys came and sat in front of us, thank god we had a shield from the snow and wind. 

Can you spot Ian’s red coat Just behind the goal?

Warne had made a couple of changes again. Bringing Emanuel back for Cummings, who had a terrible game at MK by all accounts. He also dropped Keelan in favour of DaBall and a fit again Taylor replaced Newell. 

Many have said it was the coldest they have ever been at a football match, amazingly though I didn’t think it was  too bad. Must be down to my new coat. At times the snow fell heavily, and the wind whipped it up around our faces but the game was fantastic for any Millers fan to watch. We were majestic at times. Granted Northampton were pretty poor. After fifteen minutes a Rose And Crown Ball (as Ronnie would say) from Vaulkes fell straight to Smi ith in the box And he calmly slotted home. 1-0 the Millers. 

His new song rang around the away fans. ‘If he’s good enough for you, he’s good enough for me. We’ve got Michael Smith and he is six foot three’. Who sits at home inventing these things? 

We controlled things till half time without scoring again, when Ian gamely offered to go buy hot chocolate. He came back shivering and hasn’t been Well since! Hot chocolate was glorious though. Second half was a Millers masterclass. A Taylor run down the left picked out DaBall for 2-0. 

Then came the goal that many, including me, have called the best Millers team goal they have ever seen. Josh Emmanuel collected the ball under pressure, and right under our noses, near his own corner flag. Instead of booting it out, as I was yelling at him to do, he did some nifty footwork and found Forde further up the pitch. Next came some amazing one touch passes as we played the ball toward goal. Michael Smith eventually received it near the other corner flag, cut back to Forde (again), one touch to Towell and bam, top corner. Liquid football, 3-0, thank you And goodnight.

Ritchie Towell points to all the team mates involved in the build up to the goal

We were buzzing after that, even the cold couldn’t get to us. Christine was very impressed with the number of songs, although she couldn’t make out the words of most. Probably just as well. We quickly walked back to the pub through the snow eddies for some grub and some warmth. Another great Millers awayday.

Next up Southend away

Man of the match

Ian - Will Vaulkes

Jackie - Smi ith ( Immense)

Vicky - Will Vaulkes (due to last minute block but honourable mention to Smi ith)

Christine - Palmer!??? (Some guys behind her mentioned him!)

Toilet watch

5/10 - Pretty dire and flooded, but hot water in the taps pushed up the score