Season Review 05/06 - December
Last updated : 30 May 2006 By Deano
The month started with a crucial game against Swindon at Millmoor with Mick Harford feeling the heat more than ever, one of the club's worst performances of the season saw them go down to a Rory Fallon goal.
Then, after a 2-1 home defeat against Yeovil Town, Harford was dismissed as manager with Alan Knill placed in temporary charge as the club headed to Valley Parade to take on Bradford, 17 games since their last victory.
The predictable response was likely, as the team put in a great performance as Deon Burton bagged a double. Burton showed his intent early on with snap-shot from the edge of the box and soon after he almost embarrassed the City keeper with a quick-thinking strike from 30 yards which clipped the Bradford bar. Millers skipper Colin Murdock was in commanding form throughout and he was unlucky when his powerful header struck the City bar, but it was only a let-off for the home side as Lee Williamson powered in a 20 yard grass cutter two minutes later. Burton made it two with a superb spin and shot on the turn into the bottom corner after half time, only for City to pull a goal back through a penalty but the Millers hung on for a massive three points.
Burton was to turn from hero to zero a few days ahead of the boxing day clash with Huddersfield, as he issued a transfer request. Despite Wednesday sniffing around, Burton turned out for the game and netted the opener with an early free-kick. The Millers could have gone clear and made the game safe but paid for their lack of cutting edge as Gary Taylor-Fletcher equalised in the last minute to save the Terriers a point.
The long midweek trip awaited us to Ashton Gate as we monitored the conditions on the way down, on arrivial we were greeted with light snow but fairly optimistic after a reent revivial on the field. However the evening turned sour as a poor performance saw the team go down 3-1. Colin Murdock had briefly levelled proceedings but Steve Brooker proved the difference on the night with a strong display in attack.
But the month was to end on a high with a local derby against Doncaster. Lee Williamson was hitting top form in midfield and he was the difference betwen the two sides. Williamson powerfully sidefooted home from six yards deep into stoppage time to end ten-man Rovers resistance after Paul Heffernan had been sent off. However the Millers convincing performance meant they deserved their win.
So the new year approached and a trip to Tranmere with spirits fairly high around Millmoor. Ronnie Moore hadn't ruled out a return as manager and Bobby Williamson's name amongst others were major talking points. Here's to a better 2006??.....
