It only takes a minute..

Rotherham v Norwich, New York Stadium, Sat 25th April 2015, Att 11,498

As expected, the FL docked us three points at their meeting on Friday. By that time I think we had all resigned ourself to this and had been looking at the table with this in mind. So, here's the possible connotations of today's result. Best possible. We win, Millwall and Wigan lose we are mathematically safe. Worst possible. We lose and both win, it goes down to the last game. Norwich needed a win to stay in the automatic promotion places. 

It was Vickys 21st birthday (we never win on her birthday) so we did all the present opening in the morning, during which Ian phoned the disability liaison officer at the club to see if he could be dropped off at the door. He had had his cruciate operation the previous Wednesday but no way was he missing this game. The answer was yes, as long as it's before 2pm, so we planned on that. Alex was up for Vickys birthday so Vicky dropped me and Ian off at 1.59 and 59 seconds and she and Alex drove off to park at Ians office. In a lovely touch a small plaque had been erected at turnstyle number 9 stating 'johns turnstyle' in memory of John Fearns. We were a little worried as, due to Ians crutches, we were guided through the big gate instead of turnstyle 10. Once inside we made our way to our seats so Ian could sit down, and found OMOTE already in place. He must arrive early as well as leave early. I had brought a programme so busied myself with reading that. Vicky and Alex arrived in good time and informed us that it was to be an unchanged side from the Fulham game where Steve felt we had played well. 

Before the game our manager had been fostering an 'us against the world' philosophy, firing us up by telling us that everyone tries to knock us down but we keep bouncing back, this was reinforced by the pre match music with tunes such as 'we get knocked down' playing. The away end was sold out also leading to a fantastic atmosphere. Norwich had an old friend in their line up in the form of former Millers striker Lewis Grabban. He of the silly beard.

Our friend Lewis

Despite the cold wind and rain outside the stadium, the sun was shining inside when Frank sang, we kicked, and referee Mr Brown blew. We were off for one of the most important games of the season. Norwich started pretty well, as befits their league standing, but we started to come into the game more after 15mins or so. At this point it's about what others do as much as it is about your own game, so people had their eyes on their own or other people's phones desperate to know about Wigan and Millwall. The news had just come through that Wigan were losing (yay) when we heard that Millwall were winning through a penalty (boo). Then they doubled their lead with another penalty (double boo). Back on our pitch the play was over near the benches when suddenly the referree whipped out a red card. My heart sank as he walked forward, until he brandished it at Lewis Grabban. No-one around us knew what it was for, but it definitely helped our cause. Once a Miller always a Miller they say. 

Afterwards it seems that he aimed a punch at Craig Morgan, and the ref had no option but to send him off. This seemed to confuse us for a bit, and the match reached half time at 0-0. 

All eyes were now turned to the crowd messages on the big screen. I had arranged for a happy birthday message to be displayed and Vicky was delighted. 

More inspirational music preceded the second half, in which we started well having a couple of good attacks. But as is customary the opposition pounced on a loose pass and scored, Hooper volleying home in the manner of a certain Mr Revell. 

Ambitious... But brilliant?

The Norwich fans went wild, they could smell the promised land of the Premier League, especially as Middlesborough were loosing. As for us, Millwall had scored again making it 3-1 at the New Den, and turning the relegation fight upside down. How would we react? Brilliantly as it turns out. A disgruntled, and possible departee, Pringle was withdrawn for Hammill, and Bowery replaced Ward. We pressed, and pressed. The crowd drove the team on. Norwich became nervous. Word came through of another Derby goal. 3-2 in London. Bowery latched on to a through ball, raced into the area and pulled the ball back to leave Derbyshire to slot home into an open net. He steadied himself and skewed it wide. No matter, still we pressed. On 86 minutes Hammill got the ball just in front of us and raced into the area, he beat two defenders and crossed to the far post where Jordan Bowery was waiting to head home. We were on our feet delirious with pleasure when things got even better. News reached us that Derby had equalised, in almost the exact same moment that Bowerys goal had gone in. 

It only takes a minute to turn a season on its head.

He scores goals!

With the crowd roaring them on the players went in for the kill keeping Norwich on the back foot for the final few minutes. Alas it was not to be, but a 1-1 draw was more than we could have hoped. The players left to a standing ovation and we left with a spring in our step.

At one point in the afternoon things looked so bleak for the Millers and very sweet for Norwich. When Derbyshire put that chance wide a huge wave of dread came over the New York as it looked as if it would just not be the hosts' afternoon, and with Millwall beating Derby, we were facing the prospect of slipping into the relegation zone for the first time since November. Meanwhile, the Canaries were loving life, winning with 10 men and going back into the top two owing to Middlesbrough's defeat at Fulham. Fast forward nine minutes and it was all change. Bowery forced a much-deserved equaliser, which would have still kept the Millers in the bottom three, but pulled the rug from under the feet of Norwich's automatic promotion hopes. But, as if the scheming footballing gods had planned it all along, at virtually the same time, Millwall conceded an 85th-minute leveller to draw 3-3 to ensure it's as you were in the race for survival. A win for the Millers against Reading at the New York on Tuesday will ensure our safety and we will all be able to thumb our noses at the Football League.

Come on you reds!

Men of the match

Ian - Clubfoot

Jackie - Arneson

Vicky - Arneson (she copied me)