Rotherham United defender Angus MacDonald has been crowned the PA Entertainments Man of the Match for his resolute display at the heart of the defence which included a first goal for the club, in a performance which saw the 10-man Millers cruelly defeated 2-1 by Middlesbrough on Wednesday night.
Paul Warne’s men edged themselves in front after just three minutes when the former Hull City and Barnsley man rose highest at the back post to power home a header following a Joe Mattock corner, marking MacDonald’s first goal in Rotherham colours having joined the club last summer.
The hosts were dealt a huge blow, however, when referee Darren Bond adjudged Matt Crooks to have been guilty of Serious Foul Play when competing for a header with Boro defender Grant Hall – a decision which the club will be appealing on the grounds of wrongful dismissal.
The 10-man Millers fought bravely throughout the remaining 70 minutes but were unable to preserve their advantage and goals from Neeskens Kebano and Paddy McNair either side of the break condemned them to defeat in cruel fashion.
MacDonald, who partnered Michael Ihiekwe and Wes Harding in central defence when the game kicked off, remained a calming influence in the Millers’ rearguard making a series of important blocks and headers, including a first-half clearance off the line whilst the hosts were still in front.
Also nominated on Wednesday night were Ben Wiles, Michael Ihiekwe and Freddie Ladapo but it was MacDonald who landed the Man of the Match award having earned 69.6% of the 523 votes cast.
🏆| Vote for your @paentsuk Man of the Match following a spirited 10-man display against the odds against Middlesbrough.#rufc | #ForeverTogetherForeverProud
— Rotherham United (@OfficialRUFC) April 21, 2021
Background:
This poll is supported by PA Entertainments who have been long-term supporters of the club and were hailed for their recent work which involved them lighting up the stadium in the colours of the NHS and more recently, with the image of a poppy for Armistice Day.
As part of the agreement, the club’s official Twitter account @OfficialRUFC will post an online poll after each Millers fixture allowing supporters to pick out their Man of the Match from the shortlist.
The PA Entertainments Man of the Match will be revealed on a Monday morning following a Saturday fixture or midday on the day after a midweek fixture.
The next opportunity for supporters to pick their Man of the Match will be on Saturday, when the Millers travel to face Barnsley at Oaklwell in the South Yorkshire derby.