Addicks in New York

Rotherham v Charlton Athletic, New York Stadium, Sat sept 20th, Att 9620

After the disappointment of the Reebok defeat, the Millers returned home for a game against unbeaten Charlton, nickname The Addicks. A superstition conundrum arose in the morning with a new pair of slippers getting Inadvertantly placed on the table. New shoes on the table is bad luck, but is new slippers? Hopefully not. We had a change of team today with Vicky on holiday in Malta, and my brother Ricky and his wife Janice visiting from Canada and desperate to visit the Millers new home. Because of their visit and my sister Irene's birthday we were having a big family party at our house, so what better time to go out for the afternoon. We left for the walk down Moorgate at around 2pm, leaving the Allums to Hoover, clean, and generally prepare everything. 

Ricky had worked at Guest and Crimes as a young boy before he emigrated so was quite excited by the eyesore in the New Yorks car park. 

He also regaled Janice with tales of his visits to Millmoor in the late sixties, including big crowds and getting squashed against barriers and fences.

Ian met one of his clients in the car park, it turns out he is the client who let us stay at his house in Spain one year, although he has never invited us back. I never liked him! Meanwhile, Ricky was doing what all New York tourists do and taking loads of photos while avoiding getting beat up.

A quick lesson in turnstyle entering, (Make sure you are in front of Ian in the queue) and we were in. The man on the end and the twitchers were all there this week, as was Wooly, although James got a yellow card for missing the match to see Newcastle vs Hull. The guy next to him won't be happy if he finds out. Ian was chatting with him and he was apoplectic that his own mate had missed it just to go on holiday. Real fans don't do that. (Vicky take note)

We settled in and Ricky asked if we would play 'god save the queen'. Apparently all sporting events in Canada are preceded by a heartwarming rendition of 'O Canada'. He was not overly impressed that we play Frank Sinatra instead. The lineups were announced with Evans having recalled Revell. He was also starting with Jordan 'he scores goals' Bowery. Charlton had a few players in their team who seemed familiar so I opened up my ears and waited. 'Who did that Ben Haim used to play for' they detected from behind. 'Bolton, Chelsea, Man City, Sunderland, Portsmouth, West Ham, QPR, and I think Maccabi Tel Aviv.' I do believe the Twitchers also had a guest fan with them as one of them called out 'He's good that Taylor', immediately before 'that Taylor' blasted the ball over the top of the away stand. The Charlton number 10, Moussa, (Southend, Leicester, Coventry) looked very good, especially his diving skills. The referee, Mr Deadman, (no, really!) didn't think so though, and booked him for them. Applause rang around the ground, probably the first time a referree has elicited such a response there. The Millers were on top, so the inevitable happened and Charlton scored. Ironically, it was an Icelandic friend of Kari Arneson that did the damage, a player who we had tried to sign but simply could not afford.  Alex Revell, who had played like a man desperate to regain his place, was challenged in the air, fell from a great height, and had to be replaced by Becchio. 1-0 at the break. 

Evans made a change at the break, bringing on fans favourite Lee Frecklington for Smallwood. We were shooting towards our own fans and from start to finish we battered Charlton with slick passing and wave after wave of attack. The only thing missing was a goal. The fans were right behind them and you could sense it was coming. Evans brought off Taylor for fans favourite and left foot wizard Ben Pringle. This caused Matt Derbyshire to remove his bib, throw it down, and stomp on it in a fit of temper as he realised he was not coming on. Has he booked a one way ticket to Bury with that gesture? We passed and passed, harried and chased. Bowery had the ball in the net but it was rightly ruled out for offside. Then Pringle whipped in a cross and Becchio outmuscled Bowery at the far post and headed home. 

The crowd went wild and a competing chorus of both his songs rang out, but we weren't satisfied with a draw and went all out for the win. Charlton defended stoutly though and finally Mr Deadman blew his whistle. A great comeback but we were a little disappointed only to get a draw.

Man of the match

Ian-Arneson

Jackie-Bowery

Quote of the day

'Joe Scarz could only get better looking if he got injured'-twitcher (he isn't Johnny Depp!)

Ian's award 

Mr Deadmans decision to book Luciano for handball after a blatant push caused him to throw his arms in the air.