Millers secure long-awaited away win in the second tier...
Good things comes to those who wait and it’s been a long time coming, but Rotherham United have won away in the Sky Bet Championship after a dramatic night at QPR.
There were 321 travelling Millers who witnessed the Millers’ first second-tier win on the road since April 2016 thanks to a brace from Semi Ajayi - his second of which arrived deep in stoppage-time and it was no less than the Millers deserved.
It looked as though Paul Warne’s men had two priceless extra points snatched from them as Osayi-Samuel's goal five minutes from time cancelled out Ajayi’s lovely long ranger, but the big man popped up at the death with a typically towering header to seal a dramatic win.
It looked as though Paul Warne’s men had two priceless extra points snatched from them as Osayi-Samuel's goal five minutes from time cancelled out Ajayi’s lovely long ranger, but the big man popped up at the death with a typically towering header to seal a dramatic win.
Millers boss Paul Warne was forced into two changes after Saturday’s South Yorkshire derby defeat at Sheffield United. Richard Wood came in for the injured Clark Robertson, whilst Richie Towell replaced suspended Will Vaulks. Elsewhere, Zak Vyner stepped in for Billy Jones at full-back.
After a relatively scrappy start in West London, the first chance didn’t fall until the eighth minute as Michael Smith connected with a Zak Vyner free-kick but he could only nod straight at Lumley. Moments later at the other end, Marek Rodak made a splendid save with his legs to deny Hemed from close-range.
The Millers maintained a good shape in the opening 15 minutes and youngster Ben Wiles was looking confident on the ball, but the first yellow card arrived for Rotherham’s Joe Mattock, meaning he misses Norwich’s visit to the AESSEAL New York Stadium on Saturday.
Hemed had another decent chance from close-range but he couldn’t direct a free header on target with only Rodak to beat from a right-wing delivery.
Marek Rodak had a more comfortable shot to contend with on 24 minutes as he caught Eze’s long-range strike down the centre. One of the hosts’ busier players, Bright Osayi-Samuel, flashed a wicked cross along the Millers’ box, forcing Mattock to expertly turn away at the far post.
Warne’s men grew into the game and had Lumley worried on 32 minutes with a spell of sustained pressure. Mattock bent in a lovely cross following Smith’s clever header, forcing Jake Bidwell to clear as Taylor lurked at the far post.
As the first-half came to a close, Rotherham were growing in confidence and causing problems for the hosts down both flanks. First Smith forced Bidwell into a cynical foul, resulting in a booking, and then Wiles struck wide for the last action of the first-half after picking up from some great work by Joe Newell on the left.
As the first-half came to a close, Rotherham were growing in confidence and causing problems for the hosts down both flanks. First Smith forced Bidwell into a cynical foul, resulting in a booking, and then Wiles struck wide for the last action of the first-half after picking up from some great work by Joe Newell on the left.
Half-time | Queens Park Rangers 0 v 0 Rotherham United
The Millers carved out half a chance with just three minutes on the watch in the second-half. Richard Wood teed up his central-defensive partner Michael Ihiekwe in the box with a smart header across goal but Ihiekwe just couldn’t turn home from a tight angle.
Both teams had pot-shots from range as Eze volleyed wide for the Hoops and Jon Taylor curled straight at Lumley but it was the Millers who were enjoying more of the ball in the third quarter of the match.
Both teams had pot-shots from range as Eze volleyed wide for the Hoops and Jon Taylor curled straight at Lumley but it was the Millers who were enjoying more of the ball in the third quarter of the match.
The home team threatened on the break a minute past the hour as Leistner emerged from defence with the ball and played Osayi-Samuel in down the right but the winger skewed his effort wide as he strode into the area at pace.
Paul Warne looked to the bench on 64 minutes as Matt Crooks was introduced for Towell and he didn’t take long to have an impact. The former Northampton man did well on the left to take the ball beyond Furlong before feeding Newell, his cross found Smith but the big striker nodded wide of Lumley’s left-hand upright.
The deadlock was finally broken on the stroke of 70 minutes and it was no less than the Millers deserved. Joe Newell’s attempt on the turn from Taylor’s cross was blocked but only as far as Semi Ajayi 22-yards out. The Nigeria international lashed an unstoppable shot into the bottom corner, right in front of the 321 travelling Millers.
The goal sparked even more confidence amongst the Millers who created another chance through Zak Vyner. His teasing cross from the right eventually dropped for Newell from Smith’s attempt at controlling, but Furlong flung himself in front of the wide-man’s attempt prompting appeals for handball which were ignored by referee David Webb.
QPR should have levelled it up on 76 minutes as substitute Nahki Wells pounced on a loose ball in the box only to prod inches wide of the post as hearts were in mouths of the Millers.
The goal sparked even more confidence amongst the Millers who created another chance through Zak Vyner. His teasing cross from the right eventually dropped for Newell from Smith’s attempt at controlling, but Furlong flung himself in front of the wide-man’s attempt prompting appeals for handball which were ignored by referee David Webb.
QPR should have levelled it up on 76 minutes as substitute Nahki Wells pounced on a loose ball in the box only to prod inches wide of the post as hearts were in mouths of the Millers.
The home team did find the net on 85 minutes as Osayi-Samuel bundled home the leveller from close-range. Substitute Pawel Wszolek worked hard down the left before crossing low into the area, and Osayi-Samuel took a touch before tapping home from inside the six-yard box.
Despite the disappointment, the Millers rallied from the restart and almost forced a spectacular response through substitute Anthony Forde. The winger danced in from the left and bent a sweet strike towards the top corner but it sailed over the bar.
When it looked like the points would be shared, Anthony Forde’s desire to get forward and win a free-kick on the left proved vital. The winger dusted himself down before curling a dangerous cross into the box which Semi Ajayi met to power home a header, sending the travelling Millers wild.
Full-time | Queens Park Rangers 1 v 2 Rotherham United
Teams
QPR: Lumley, Furlong, Leistner, Lynch, Bidwell, Osayi-Samuel, Cousins (Shodipo 72), Luongo, Freeman, Eze (Wszolek 80), Hemed (Wells 72).
Subs not used: Ingram, Cameron, Scowen, Manning.
Millers: Rodak, Vyner, Ihiekwe, Wood, Mattock, Ajayi, Taylor, Towell (Crooks 64), Wiles (Jones 90+2), Newell (Forde 83), Smith.
Subs not used: Price, Palmer, Williams, Yates.
Teams
QPR: Lumley, Furlong, Leistner, Lynch, Bidwell, Osayi-Samuel, Cousins (Shodipo 72), Luongo, Freeman, Eze (Wszolek 80), Hemed (Wells 72).
Subs not used: Ingram, Cameron, Scowen, Manning.
Millers: Rodak, Vyner, Ihiekwe, Wood, Mattock, Ajayi, Taylor, Towell (Crooks 64), Wiles (Jones 90+2), Newell (Forde 83), Smith.
Subs not used: Price, Palmer, Williams, Yates.
Referee: David Webb
Attendance: 10,854 (321 Millers)
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