If Carling did home games......

Rotherham v Bolton, New York Stadium, Tues Jan 27th 2014, Att 8760

Because of our ignominious cup there was a ten day break between the second Bournemouth defeat and this game. Plenty of time for transfer rumours to abound. The big one for the millers was the transfer of Ben Pringle. Social media was reporting that his departure to Preston was a fait accompli, then that he had actually signed and was driving over the Pennines in his Porsche on the Monday night. The other rumour was that the wonderful Adam Le Fondre was being offered out for loan. If only he fancied a trip back to S60, Bens departure wouldn't hurt so much.

Have hairband will travel

Have hoodie will travel

Alas it was not to be and Alfie joined tonight's opponents Bolton, we couldn't even afford to pay for his haircuts. The only good point was that he wasn't eligible to play against us, much to his disappointment. 

Vicky was in the middle of an exam recovery week, much to the amusement of Wooly and James, and the disgust of Ian, so was able to make it, having had no better offers. The usual Tuesday match night rush to get in and eat tea was followed by a lift down from Chris. We decided to cross the road at a different place to spice things up a bit and entered via turnstyle 10. Old man on the end was seated already, so I gave him a nod. Joining Wooly and James were the real fan Kathy, her Watford supporting boyfriend, and Caroline, at the match to vet said boyfriend. Vicky got the team news up on her phone, and there were a few surprises. Up front we had Connor Sammon and Matt Derbyshire. 'Derbyshire and Sammon up front' I said to OMOTE, his grimace said it all. On the wing we had Connor Newton and Prestons own Ben Pringle. Fancy that. Not a team to strike fear into opponents, but Bolton had had a hard Cup tie against Liverpool so maybe they were tired. They did have a certain Eidur Gudjonnson in their ranks. 'Didnt he play for Chelsea dad' said Kathy. 'And Barcelona' Wooly replied. Luckily he was now 67 years old, so would be no threat.

Frank played, we kicked, the lovely Mr Drysdale referee blew, and we were off. Turns out not only were Bolton totally drained, they had also forgot everything they had ever known about how to play football. On one minute fourth six seconds Connor Newton put in a wonderful cross and Ben Pringle beat the invisible man to the ball and volleyed a thunderbolt into the roof of the net with his sweet left foot. 1-0 the Millers. The tweeters hadn't even taken their place, much to their disgust.

That was the start of a wonderful half. We passed the ball wonderfully and has several good attempts on goal. Not only were we playing well, but the ref was as well. When Bolton tried to fall over, no free kick. The ball went out for a corner according to the Lino, but no. Goal kick said the ref. A Bolton player was tripped in the area, could have easily been a pen. No way said Mr Drysdale. Neil Lennon, the Ginger Whinger himself, was apoplectic, especially as the ball was launched towards Derbyshire. He streaked upfield like a bolt of lightning, easily beating the Bolton defenders (the treacle they were running through slowed them down). His tame shot was parried by their keeper into the path of the onrushing (and all alone) Sammon. 2-0. 

Not happy

Derbyshire was on fire and continued to plague the Bolton defence, having several good efforts on goal before putting in another good cross. Paul Green manage to escape the attention of the traffic cones and placed a header onto the post and in. 3-0 and we were in heaven, as was he.

Kathys boyfriend was on his feet singing his heart out. Alex take note. 

Connor Newton and Ben Pringle were causing all kinds of trouble down the wings, Green and Smallwood were imperious in the centre, and that striking partnership that OMOTE was so scornful of looked like world beaters. 'I said Derbyshire was brilliant' I told him. He smiled an enigmatic smile. Mr Drysdale, Darren as we like to call him, was meanwhile still wowing the crowd with his stellar refereeing display. A tweeter commented that he had a bet on for 4-2, so was expecting a Bolton comeback. Eidur tried to get in the game, and did look skilful on the ball, but was soon kicked up in the air by a Miller. No foul said Daz. 'Get up you Icelandic T********,' screamed Ian. 'Yay' laughed Kathy, 'variety'.

Unfortunately half time arrived. 3-0 and a stellar performance from the Millers. 

No changes were made in the break, and we carried on as before. Lots of great football that culminated in the fans oleying as we passed it about. A great pass by Smallwood found Our Matty on the halfway line, he stomed forward feinting to pass to Ben, before unleashing a rocket into the top corner. 4-0. The crowd, and Matt, went mad. His lack of goals so far and wonderful performance on the night had endeared him to most fans, I always said he was good! 

It was all going so well that on 75 mins I turned to Vicky and told her that if we got to 80 at 4-0 I would start to believe we could win. Big mistake as Bolton promptly scored, another shaky defensive moment . Then they scored again. Now they had hope and unbelievably we were hanging on. A bit of drama spiced things up I suppose. Stevie subbed Matt to a standing ovation, then Ben. We wound the clock down, before Bolton got a free kick in the 96th minute. They blazed it wide and our Daz blew for full time. 4-2 to the Millers, and a famous victory.

Next up Charlton away.

Men of the match

Ian - two assists and one goal, Matt Derbyshire.

Jackie - Difficult but Connor Newton

Vicky - Derbyshire

Ian's award - can he ref us every week please

Funniest moment - The ref overruling the linesman for the corner and the Bolton players' fury.

Quote of the week - Steve Evans re Ben Pringles transfer, "The guy who put that on whatever forum is steaming drunk. I have never spoken to Preston in my life about Ben Pringle"