Rotherham United attacker Matt Crooks has edged out competition from Michael Smith to land the PA Entertainments Man of the Match award for his performance in the 3-0 win over Derby County at AESSEAL New York Stadium.
As has been the case in previous votes this season, the team performance was of such a high standard that narrowing the vote down to a shortlist of just four nominees proved difficult, but following careful consideration, Crooks was joined by Smith, Michael Ihiekwe and Jamie Lindsay among those selected for their displays.
In our closest Man of the Match poll yet, it was Crooks who stole in late on in the vote to be crowned Man of the Match, after scorer of the Millers' second goal Smith had taken an early lead in the standings.
The former Northampton Town man who is in a rich vein of form and has scored four goals in his last seven league outings for the Millers, once again turned in a colossal performance at the top end of the pitch, complimenting friend and teammate Smith in attack.
Crooks recorded 37.5% of the 724 votes cast between the final whistle and this morning, with Smith finishing a close second with 33%.
Whilst Crooks will enjoy the accolade of Man of the Match, we are sure that our supporters will agree that this was a brilliant team performance with each and every individual involved deserving of massive praise.
🏆| Vote for your @paentsuk Man of the Match from tonight's game against Derby County.#rufc | #ForeverTogetherForeverProud
— Rotherham United (@OfficialRUFC) February 3, 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 this Tuesday, when the Millers host Queens Park Rangers at AESSEAL New York Stadium.