Ahead of what Steve Evans billed as ‘the most important game of the season’ the Millers made three changes to their starting line-up. The most notable being the return of top-scorer Daniel Nardiello, who took his place upfront against his former club, the Grecians. This saw a return to the bench for ex-Aldershot loanee Lionel Ainsworth, after being substituted at half-time during Rotherham’s 2-1 defeat to Morecambe on Saturday.
Dale Tonge also found himself back in the starting eleven
after Welshman Mark Bradley had started Saturday’s game at the Globe Arena. The
move didn’t come as a surprise, however, with his imminent return to the side
proving too much to start two games in a row.
The final change for Rotherham came with David Noble
replacing suspended captain Johnny Mullins, whose position at centre back was
taken up by part-time defender and captain, Kari Arnason.
The game started in the best possible fashion for the home
side, as ex-Derby winger Ben Pringle ran onto Scot Bennett’s tame pass before
drilling home a 25-yard shot into the bottom right corner of Artur Krysiak’s
net. After finding himself out of favour in recent games, it was the perfect
time for Pringle to score his ninth goal of the season.
With the confidence of the first goal behind them, the
Millers’ players continued to push forward and when Kieran Agard was brought
down by Pat Baldwin the first free-kick of the game was awarded. Ben Pringle
stepped up, looking for his second goal of the game. However, his shot from the
edge of the box was cleared with reasonable ease by the Exeter defence.
The first corner kick of the game was awarded just two
minutes later when Daniel Nardiello’s attempted cross was knocked out of play
by the Grecians’ number three, Craig Woodman. The corner was then taken by
Michael O’Connor, who curled the ball over the top of the fully stretched Artur
Kyrsiak. However, just as the ball appeared to be going in, Aaron Lawson
scrambled the ball past the far post to keep the score at 1-0.
Exeter’s only real chance of the first-half came in the 14th
minute when Craig Woodman tested Scott Shearer directly from a free kick.
However, the ex-Crawley ‘keeper comfortably punched the ball behind for a
corner kick that would be cleared by the Rotherham defence.
The Millers’ next outstanding opportunity came in the 25th
minute. Michael O’Connor’s free-kick was nodded down by Craig Morgan before
Kieran Agard’s close range shot was deflected wide by Aaron Dawson.
The pressure was fully on the Grecians and it was only a
matter of time before Rotherham extended their lead.
The second goal finally came in the 28th minute
when Ben Pringle and Daniel Nardiello combined well before the latter neatly
chipped home past a helpless Krysiak to make the score 2-0 in Rotherham’s
favour.
It seemed that the floodgates had now opened and the hosts
added a third just two minutes later when an attempted clearance fell to
Michael O’Connor who comfortably volleyed home from 30-yards out.
This would see the two sides into half-time, with the hosts
comfortably and deservedly leading 3-0 at the break.
Half-time: Rotherham United 3-0 Exeter City
The second half began with a different tone as Exeter shared
slightly more of the possession in the first five minutes, giving some of the away supporters hope of a comeback.
This would prove to be a false dawn, however, as in the 51st minute Rotherham scored a fourth to put the game beyond doubt. Alex Revell headed back across the box, after an attempted Exeter clearance, before Craig Morgan emphatically volleyed home to score his first for the club.
This would prove to be a false dawn, however, as in the 51st minute Rotherham scored a fourth to put the game beyond doubt. Alex Revell headed back across the box, after an attempted Exeter clearance, before Craig Morgan emphatically volleyed home to score his first for the club.
The first yellow card of the game was shown just minutes
after the goal, when the Grecians’ number 25 Lawson D'Ath heavily brought down
Joe Skarz much to the discontent of the Millers faithful.
With Liverpool Manager Brendan Rodgers in the crowd, it was
no surprise to see Exeter boss Paul Tisdale bring on Rodgers’ son in the 70th
minute to replace Tommy Doherty in the centre of midfield.
A number of chances soon followed for the visitors before they
finally pulled back a goal after a scramble in the Millers’ box.
Confusion arose when Aaron Davies’ corner was headed downward by Danny Coles. The ball appeared to cross the line before hitting the arm of Ben Pringle, leading to calls for a penalty from some Exeter fans. However, play carried on and Jamie Cureton made sure the ball had crossed the line.
In the end the goal was awarded to Coles sparing Pringle any punishment for his goal line handball.
Confusion arose when Aaron Davies’ corner was headed downward by Danny Coles. The ball appeared to cross the line before hitting the arm of Ben Pringle, leading to calls for a penalty from some Exeter fans. However, play carried on and Jamie Cureton made sure the ball had crossed the line.
In the end the goal was awarded to Coles sparing Pringle any punishment for his goal line handball.
The 83rd minute saw a return to action for Lee
Frecklington after shaking off a virus in time to take his place on the bench.
He replaced goalscorer Michael O’Connor and took his position back on the field
for the first time in three matches.
Full-time: Rotherham United 4-1 Exeter City
Rotherham: Shearer, Tonge, Morgan, Arnason, Skarz, Agard
(Ainsworth 73), O’Connor (Frecklington 83) Noble, Pringle, Nardiello, Revell
(Odejayi 78)
Unused: Warrington, Rose, Ridehalgh, Rowe
Exeter: Krysiak, Woodman, Bennett, Baldwin, Coles, Davies,
Cureton, Doherty (Rodgers 71), Dawson (O’Flynn 46), D’Ath, Molesley
(Keohane 46)
Unused: Bauza, Evans, Reid, Moore-Taylor
Attendance: 6703 (222)
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