OxMillers Sheff U Report

The Millers lined up in the correct formation (i.e. Jamal Campbell-Ryce on the left and Proctor on the right of midfield), the usual back four, Barker and McClaren in central midfield and Junior up front.

J-C-R was immediately involved, creating panic on the left and providing a couple of good crosses that saw Junior flash headers just wide of the target

Best game so far

and Butler denied by the keeper. As the Blades started to come into the game, the Millers’ cause was dented when Barker had to come off with a knee injury. I’m sure I was not alone in thinking that the introduction of Vernazza in his place would surrender the midfield and hence the match. However, except for one appalling miscontrol in the second half, I actually felt that Vernazza had his best game for the Millers, getting in some tackles, harrying opponents more effectively and actually distributing the ball.

For a time, the visitors started to dominate, forcing three excellent saves from Pollitt and a number of last-ditch clearances and blocks from a resolute defence. Our main outlet was J-C-R on the left and the little man showed flashes of class and quick feet both in attack and defence that sent the crowd buzzing.

Not only that, but for a little guy, he gets stuck in and his pace allows him to track back to great effect. Though less effective, Proctor looked more at home on the right and sent a 50 yard ball clear of the defence into Butler’s path. Racing through, the Millers striker was just beaten to the ball by the onrushing keeper who cleared on the volley before clattering into the Millers striker – poleaxing him. Junior’s follow up was cleared by a retreating defender but it was immediately apparent that Butler was seriously hurt, a Blades defender signaling to the bench immediately for assistance. After several minutes attention Butler left on a stretcher and looked very pale as he was carried to the dressing room.

Replaced Butler

Have to say that the stick given to the keeper was a bit harsh as it was an unfortunate collision with no intent to injure Butler involved and he was perfectly entitled to make the challenge. Monkhouse came on for Butler and this allowed Proctor to join Junior up front.

Rather than disrupt the team, the attack actually seemed to gel better after this change and some fine interplay between the new front pair sent Junior through but he shot tamely straight at the keeper.

With four minutes of added time signaled the game was pretty even and an all square half-time score looked on the cards reflecting a pretty even half. Then, in SIXTH minute of time added, Tongue picked up the ball on the edge of the area and sprinted around a struggling Stockdale before shooting.

Despite a partial block from Pollitt, the shot had enough power to end up in the net and the Blades had a lead with virtually the last kick of the half.

Almost straight from the kick-off the Blades went two up. After seemingly t

Offside!!!!

hwarting an attack, MacIntosh miscontrolled on the edge of the area. The ball squirted straight into the path of an unmarked opponent and although Pollitt did well to block the shot, Shaw was lurking on the six yard line to slot the rebound away, with a suspicion of offside (?).

For the next 10 minutes, the Millers were all at sea with all the loose balls going to the Blades and little continuity in any play. Indeed the match could have been sown up when the visitors netted for the third time only to have it ruled out for offside. Although the attacker had played the ball through for himself, a retreating colleague was flagged offside. I think this was actually correct as the through ball was very close to the offside player and this caused the defenders to stop thinking t had been played to this player (i.e. he was interfering with play).

This seemed to galvanise the Millers, and for the rest of the match the momentum swung in their favour. With Monkhouse now on the left and J-C-R on the right, the Millers had a threat on both flanks. Some free-flowing football allowed J-C-R to send an inch perfect pass to put a rejuvenated McClaren through on goal but his shot was well blocked by Bennett. The front six were now linking up very well and forcing some desperate defending from the visitors, with J-C-R causing all sorts of problems. Not to be outdone, Monkey had some jinking runs down the left and won a free-kick just outside the box. McClaren sent over a fine cross and Swailes was on the end to glance the ball into the Railway End goal – GAME ON.

The Millers swarmed forward with shots from Junior and McClaren, but it was from another set-piece that the equalizer came. A well delivered corner by McClaren from the left was met by MacIntosh running away from the goal. However, the big defender managed to direct the ball goalwards, somehow keeping it down but maintaining the pace, and the ball went in off the underside of the crossbar. Joy unconfined was seen from the pitch to the three home sides of the ground - what a comeback!

For the last fifteen minutes, it was end-to-end stuff with Millers playing some great attacking football and The Blades breaking with the nippy Cadermateri.

After a stirring second half, the 2-2 scoreline was probably fair to both sides and again the Millers faithful left the ground in better spirits after a battling display and some excellent attacking play.

JCR - MOM for Oxmiller

For the first time this season, that I have seen, we actually looked dangerous coming forward. The dual threat of J-C-R and Monkey gives defenders something else to think about and I liked the way that Proctor and Junior linked up, the latter actually passing. In fact, it is ironic that this was a much better display than against dirty Leeds, yet we only came away with a point !

My Man-of-the-Match was Jamal Campbell-Ryce. Not only has he fast feet, trickery and pace, but he can pass on the run, hold the ball up looking for options and his pace allows him to track back from impossible places and get in tackles and blocks when needed and he gives absolute 100%. On that performance, I think we got a great deal and he will be a fans’ favourite (hopefully for a long time). He was worth the admission price on his own and with a great team performance augurs well for some excitement in the months to come.

Off to read my Moulin Rouge now, UP THE MILLERS!