On-loan Middlesbrough midfielder Lewis Wing has claimed the final PA Entertainments Man of the Match award for his performance in the Millers’ 1-1 draw with Cardiff City on Saturday 8th May 2021.
Paul Warne’s men were relegated in the cruellest of fashions after Wing had opened the scoring in South Wales with a sublime volley from the edge of the penalty area – his second goal since joining the club in a temporary switch in January.
Wing proved to be a revelation in the engine room after making the move from Teesside and became a regular in the heart of the midfield.
His 9th minute wonderstrike in Cardiff gave the Millers the advantage on a pulsating final day, with the pendulum of fortune swinging back and forth in the favour of Derby County – and briefly Sheffield Wednesday – as three clubs battled it out for Sky Bet Championship survival.
The Millers finally surrendered their advantage and subsequently their place in the second tier after Marlon Pack levelled the scores in the 88th minute, cruelly condemning Warne’s men to relegation as news filtered through of the Rams’ 3-3 draw with Sheffield Wednesday.
A draw was not reflective of the Millers’ efforts on the day, or indeed throughout the season, with every one of Warne’s men giving their all for the cause in a game which could have seen them comfortably leading had they taken the chances that had fallen their way.
Wing stormed the Man of the Match vote though claiming a landslide 68.4% of the 2,305 votes cast for the game at Cardiff City Stadium.
Also nominated were Richard Wood, Matt Crooks and Michael Smith.
🏆 | Vote for your @paentsuk Man of the Match following this afternoon's draw. #rufc | #ForeverTogetherForeverProud
— Rotherham United (@OfficialRUFC) May 8, 2021
Background:
This poll has been supported by PA Entertainments who are 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 has posted an online poll after each Millers fixture allowing supporters to pick out their Man of the Match from the shortlist.
We would once again like to say a huge thank you to PA Entertainments for supporting us in this way, whilst fans have been away from stadiums and other income sources have been significantly reduced.