In one of our most hotly-contested PA Entertainments Man of the Match polls of the season, it was just 1% of the 1,003 votes cast which landed midfielder Ollie Rathbone the award for his performance in the 1-1 draw at Sunderland.
An all-action display from Paul Warne’s Millers very nearly gave them one foot in the door for automatic promotion after Michael Ihiekwe had headed them into a 17th minute lead at the Stadium of Light, but a second half resurgence from the Play-off chasing Black Cats saw them apply enough pressure to force the centre half to head into his own goal.
The four players nominated were Rathbone, Rarmani Edmonds-Green, Dan Barlaser and Chiedozie Ogbene and the public vote suggested that our shortlist was accurate, with just 10 votes between Rathbone and second-placed Barlaser.
We have said it on a number of occasions throughout the campaign, but Ollie was back to his energetic best, and, alongside Barlaser in the middle of the park turned in a dominant display which included quality on the ball and bundles of effort and endeavour.
The draw at Sunderland leaves the Millers in the driving seat as they make the final day trip down to Gillingham, where, if they can better the result of third placed MK Dons – who take on Plymouth Argyle – they will secure an immediate return to the second tier.
🏆 | Vote and retweet to be in with a chance of winning a free Beanie Hat from @TerraceThreads #rufc | #ForeverTogetherForeverProud
— Rotherham United (@OfficialRUFC) April 26, 2022
Background
This poll is supported by our friends at PA Entertainments and Terrace Threads.
PA Entertainments have been long-term supporters of the football club and were hailed for their recent work which involved them lighting up the AESSEAL New York Stadium in the colours of the NHS and more recently, with the image of a poppy for Armistice Day.
Supporters may be aware that we recently welcomed Terrace Threads on-board, who took up the option of sponsoring our newly-produced ‘Goal Gifs’ for the duration of the 2021/22 campaign.
Following discussions between the two parties, they have collaborated to give supporters an added incentive to vote for our Twitter Man of the Match Poll, with fans who cast a vote and retweet our social media poll automatically entered into a prize draw to win a Beanie Hat from Terrace Threads.
The PA Entertainments Man of the Match and the lucky winner of the Beanie Hat 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 is on Saturday, when the Millers travel to Priestfield Stadium to lock horns with Gillingham in the final game of the regular 2021/22 season.