domingo, 27 de maio de 2018

Rotherham 2-1 Shrewsbury (AET): Richard Wood double fires Millers to promotion

Richard Wood celebrates scoring for Rotherham
Richard Wood celebrates scoring for Rotherham
Richard Wood scored twice to steer Rotherham back into the Sky Bet Championship as they beat Shrewsbury 2-1 after extra-time at Wembley.
The Millers captain struck the winner in the 103rd minute to hand his side the victory in the League One play-off final, after his initial goal in the first half had been cancelled out by Shaun Whalley.
For Rotherham, it's an immediate return to the second tier following their dismal relegation last season, while Shrewsbury have now lost all five of their games at Wembley, and also a second for Paul Hurst's side this season having been beaten by Lincoln in the Checkatrade Trophy final last month.


Team news

Semi Ajayi, David Ball and Jon Taylor came in for Rotherham, while Shrewsbury were unchanged.
Rotherham had a glorious opportunity to take the lead from the penalty spot inside the opening 10 minutes when Omar Beckles hauled down Wood in the box following a corner. David Ball was the man who stepped up to take out, but his effort was beaten away by Manchester United loanee Dean Henderson.
The Millers found the opener after 33 minutes, however. Another corner was swung in from Joe Newell, and this time Wood got way from his marker Beckles to power a header past Henderson in the Shrewsbury goal.
Alex Rodman had levelled the game for Shrewsbury
Alex Rodman had levelled the game for Shrewsbury
Shrewsbury improved dramatically after half-time and equalised after 58 minutes thanks to a fantastic free-kick routine right off the training ground. Shaun Whalley was stood over the ball on the edge of the area, but rather than shoot he played the ball into Mat Sadler, whose wonderful first-time flick found Rodman in the six-yard box to poke home, leaving Rotherham dumbstruck.
The Millers continued to dominate a visibly tiring Shrews side and they had a glorious chance to steal the win with virtually the last kick of normal time. Ryan Williams, on as a substitute with his fresh legs, tricked down the right before unleashing a fierce drive that seemed destined for the top corner, but Henderson was there with another fine save to tip the ball wide.

Player ratings

Rotherham: Rodak (7), Emmanuel (7), Ajayi (7), Wood (9), Mattock (7), Ball (5), Taylor (6), Vaulks (6), Newell (8), Towell (6), Smith (6)

Subs: Forde (6), Williams (6), Lavery (5)

Shrewsbury: Henderson (9), Bolton (6), Nsiala (6), Sadler (6), Beckles (5), Whalley (6), B Morris (5), Godfrey (6), Rodman (7), Nolan (6), C Morris (6)

Subs: Riley (6), John-Lewis (6), Payne (6)

Man of the match: Richard Wood
Another set-piece did the damage again for Rotherham after 103 minutes as they restored their lead. Joe Newell's fine free-kick travelled all the way to Wood at the far post, who slid in to steer the ball off the post and in. It was a first-career double for him in 467 senior appearances.
It was a well-deserved win for Rotherham on the day, but Shrewsbury will be devastated having spent so much of the season in the race for automatic promotion. They've been without second-tier football since 1989 and that wait will go on for at least another year.

Post-match stats

  • Rotherham have won promotion back to the Championship following their first win at Wembley since 1996 (also 2-1 v Shrewsbury, in the FL Trophy) - they had lost each of their previous two playoff finals there before today.
  • This is the first time since 2006-07 that three relegated teams from one league have been promoted the next season in the Football League - Hartlepool, Swindon and Walsall were relegated from League One in 2005-06 and promoted from League Two in 2006-07.
  • Shrewsbury have played five matches at Wembley and lost all five (including the Football League Trophy final this season); the joint-most among teams to have lost 100% of their games there, along with Brentford (5/5).
  • This game was the first League One play-off final to go to extra-time since 2014, when today's winners Rotherham beat Leyton Orient 4-3 on penalties.
  • The Shrews won 87 points in the 2017-18 league campaign; the most by a third-tier side who failed to win promotion since Sheffield United in 2011/12 (90).
  • Richard Wood's header was his seventh league goal of the season for Rotherham (inc. playoffs) - the only current Miller players to net more this term were Joe Newell and David Ball (eight each).

Man of the match - Richard Wood

Captain, leader... Wood! What a time to get your first career double. The Millers skipper was imperious at the back and lethal in attack. Winning the early penalty that Ball missed before taking advantage of two brilliant Newell set-pieces to fire Rotherham to glory.
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