Rotherham v Scunthorpe, Play-off Semi-final second leg, Weds 16th May, 2-0
After the 2-2 draw at Scunny in the first leg, all that we needed to do was win to book our place at Wemberley for the fourth time. That was ALL that we needed. A win. Easy? We had beaten Scunny twice in the regular season. Then why were we all so nervous? This time last year, as we sat back on our lilos and contemplated life back in league one after the most disastrous season ever, we would have snatched your hand off for mid-season mediocrity. But now we were in the play offs and defeat was unthinkable.
we set off down to the New York in good time leaving some part time supporters watching on sky at home and cheering us on from from there. We left early to see my giant flag. A few weeks ago a group of fans, inspired by a giant flag at Plymouth had canvassed opinion on whether we should purchase one. They had a good response so set up a fund raising page on the internet. I contributed £5 towards it, and in only a couple of days the £1000 target was met and exceeded. Time passed with no word and people were beginning to wonder if this was a Lee Mills* style scam. But the day before the second leg news came that the flag would be delivered in time for the game. But due to the clubs plan to get all supporters to wave cards in the air as the players came out, the flag had to be unveiled at precisely 7.25pm. We were there for the unveiling and the first overhead pass.
Ian, of course, was at the New York Tavern with the other jolly boys.
They finally rolled in just after kick-off, having missed the emotional waving of coloured cards as the players came out.
Vicky and I were feeling really nervous. As were Heather and Kathy watching on sky from the living room.
The Scunny fans clearly felt the same, so most of them didn’t bother travelling.
It turned out to be another of the great nights under the lights at the New York Stadium. Scunny were fielding a child goalkeeper due to their old one being injured while rolling around and he made some fine saves early on. But steadily the atmosphere ramped up and we piled on the pressure. We had only gone a few rounds of ‘Richard Wood is magic’ before he rose like a salmon to head the Millers in front, much to his delight.
He wears a magic hat
It was 1-0 at the break and the second half saw much of the same. The pressure rose and rose as did the noise level until Will Vaulkes fired home a second. Cue wild scenes and a back flip
After that there was no way back for Scunny, especially as one of their players was dismissed for a foul on Joe Newell. With five minutes to go the fans began making their way to the front for the customary pitch invasion, prompted by the plea over the tannoy to not invade the pitch. The ref got into position close to the tunnel before blowing for full time and a red wave rolled across the hallowed turf. We stood watching and cheering for a while before strolling on ourselves. (NB, I am in no way admitting to the offence of entering the field of play and will deny it to my last breath). The Magic Hat song was ringing around the stadium and the players were being carried shoulder high, Richard Wood in particular looking ecstatic.
After they had battled their way to the tunnel, the players reappeared on the balcony to take the applause and direct the fans singing.
At last we made our way back home amid much dancing, singing and all round merriment. After the most horrendous season in our history Paul Warne and his staff had worked miracles. By reintroducing a team ethic, hard work, and playing for the badge, they had produced one of the best seasons in the clubs history. Wemberley here we come.
Next up, Shrewsbury Town!
Man of the match
Ian - Rodak
Jackie - Emmanuel
Vicky - Vaulks
Heather - vaulks
Kathy - Rodak
* Lee Mills was the guy who organised a plane to fly Millers to Plymouth before running off with the money
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