A Millers Tale – the taming of the Shrews

Photo: Ali Gilmore/Prost Amerika

Rotherham United 2 : 1 Shrewsbury Town (aet)

Rotherham United will be promoted to the Championship after a hard fought win over Shrewsbury at Wembley. Millers’ captain Richard Wood was the hero with both goals, the second in extra time. He had never scored twice in a game before and certainly found the right occasion to debut the feat.

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“I’ve never scored two in a game before so do it in a show piece game at Wembley is just what dreams are made of,” Wood perhaps understated after the game.

The Miller’s coach Paul Warne was full of praise for Wood:

“He is worth a lot to me on and off the pitch. I love him to death, and he epitomised what the club stands for. It gives me great joy for him to score two. He is a warrior, that is what he is.”

Over the two hours, the Yorkshiremen were the better side and Shrews coach Paul Hurst can have few complaints although he did make a valid point that three substitutes may not be enough when a game goes to extra time:

“We had a good spell after we’d equalised but the game became a farce because of the heat and people were cramping for both teams.

“I’m not just saying it because we’ve lost, but you play 48 games and also cup games in a season. I know what the rules are but it wasn’t a good ending to the game, you should get more subs.”

The Millers had the luxury of missing an early penalty after David Ball’s spot kick was well saved by Dean Henderson. Even then it was the influential captain Wood who won the penalty having been shoved by Omar Beckles.

Wood’s first goal came in the 33rd minute, and it was a simple goal. A corner came in from the right and Wood timed his run and jump superbly and headed home with power.

Photo: Ali Gilmore/Prost Amerika

That lead only lasted 13 minutes into the second period. A clever free kick found Alex Rodman in yards of space while the Millers defence momentarily switched off. Everything the Shrews had done so far has been the fairly obvious, so clearly Rotherham expected it again. Shrewsbury tried something different and it paid off. Sadly it was one of the few moments where the guile matched the effort.

On 74, Millers’ substitute Caoloan Lavery missed the chance of the match and the chance to put Rotherham back ahead when he blasted wide when clean through.

Shrewsbury had one more chance when Shaun Whalley tested Marek Rodak and, at the other end, Ryan Williams brought out the very best from Henderson in the last chance before the end of the normal 90.

The game was decided 13 minutes into extra time. A very provocative inswinging free kick by Joe Newell was watched by all except Wood who was the first to react and poked the deserved winner home.

The Millers bounce back to the Championship at the first attempt but the futures of both managers is in doubt as they are both in high demand if English press gossip is to be believed.

Attendance 26,218

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