It is a truth universally acknowledged that the last game before Christmas is one if the most important of the season. Win and the festive season is wonderful with everyone happy and the days merry and bright. Lose and the season takes on a darker tone, miserable faces sat around wearing cheap hats and forcing down Turkey and sprouts. The game at the DW ( formerly JJB Stadium) had even more import due to our respective lowly positions in the championship table. If Wigan won they would be only one point behind, a Millers win would see a massive 7 point gap open.
Ian decided to go back to pan porridge in some insane attempt to influence matters, leaving the washing up for later. I made up the munch box, only the second of the season as most of our away games had been too close to require one. We loaded up and set off, Ian having to break sharply to avoid running over the single magpie that was strutting across the top of the drive.
Tara, Ian's posh SatNav, informed us that there was traffic disruption on the route, the Woodhead pass, and no alternative route was possible, leading us to decide on the alternative route of the M1, M62. Tara did not like that one little bit, trying to persuade us to turn back all the way up the M1. Her way would see us arriving after 3pm so we ignored her all the way until she relented and informed us that our way would see us arrive at 2.25. I despair of her sometimes.
A scenic trip through the highlights of Wigan brought us in to the DW away fans car park from the back, the beer buses had already arrived.
We ate our munch box, drank coffee, badgered Vicky into hurrying, and set off for the stadium
We had persuaded a grumbling Ian to wear his Santa dash hat in order to appear more festive.
The DW is a pretty impressive stadium, one with fond memories for us as the sight of a famous win during the promotion season of 2001.
A trip to the loo was first on the agenda after our long journey. Not bad. There weren't that many but they were clean with no puddles on the floor. There was even soap. The water let them down by being lukewarm though. Wooly and James had saved us some seats behind the goal half way up. It did involve climbing over seats to reach them, not my favourite hobby, and we settled in among the large away following. James' sister Kathy was also there, stopping off on her way home from uni in Liverpool. It was a brilliant view.
Vicky was very happy with it.
A marching band followed by a bugler playing the last post confused us a bit, till someone remembered it was the hundredth anniversary of the famous front line football match in the First World War. A nice touch. Steve had kept faith with the same starting eleven that had been performing so well over the last few games. Wigan started the stronger and we feared a beating, but we came into it and started to dominate. The ref incurred our wrath by booking Green for a challenge in the centre circle a few seconds after letting one of theirs go. We started to pass the ball in the silky smooth manner to which we have become accustomed. Chances came and went and I wondered if we would ever score when two Wigan defenders gave us a helping hand. One passed the ball into the path of Tom Lawrence while the other slipped leaving young Tom to slot the ball home.
Scenes of delirium swept throughout the players and fans. A very tentative round of jingle bells went around, we didn't want to jinx things.
The rest of the first half was very comfortable for us and we went into the break in the lead. Half time entertainment was 'up and coming girl band The Picadillies' singing Silent Night acapello. Not something we usually get at the New York.
The second half began as the first had ended, with us in control. We are a pleasure to watch at the moment. Ledesma in particular was running rings round the Wigan defenders. However, on the 66th minute we shot ourselves in the foot by conceding a headed goal from a corner. They were back in it and all was doom and gloom. Minute 67 proved much more joyous though. Ledesma bent in a free kick, Alex Revell rose like a salmon and the ball looped up off his head. Vicky put her head in her hands in despair, feeling sure it was going over. Their keeper thought the same and watched in horror as it dropped lazily down behind him and nestled in the back of the net. He rushed to celebrate with the Rotherham fans behind the goal, the whole team celebrating wih him
Wigan had to attack and left holes at the back so we had several more chances, but in the end were hanging on with them hitting the bar during the six minutes of added time. Another little gift from the ref. Finally he blew for time, and a famous Millers victory. Jingle bells was bellowed loud and proud from all the away fans. There's nothing like an away victory at Christmas. Next up Huddersfield in yet another six pointer.
Man of the match
Ian - Green
Jackie - Ledesma
Vicky - Revell
Ian's award - Numerous dodgy bookings, and where the hell did he get that six minutes added time!
Toilet watch - 7/10, the hot water let them down.
Funniest moment - Almost running out of petrol on Saddleworth Moor on the way home
Quote of the day - Jingle Bells, Jingle Bells, Jingle all the way, oh what fun it is to see, the Millers win away
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