Our first fixture, a visit to Queens Park Rangers would be a difficult test. Apart from Arsenal, Rangers were the only club to go the whole of last season without a defeat at Fortress Loftus Road. Having said that, that was in a lower division and maybe the Hoops would struggle amongst more illustrious company.
A red hot sunny August morning, brilliant for cricket not so good for the rigours of ninety minutes racing around a footy field greeted me as I set of on the tube to Shepherds Bush. Already the thermometer read 25 degrees and it was still early. Perhaps the football season would be better if it could begin a month later. But then again, another month watching speedway and golf…
An hour or so later, son and I were sitting in a pub alongside Shepherds Bush green, packed to the rafters not with football fans but those of the oval persuasion. Hundreds of Aussies glued to the television screens watching the Motherland do battle with old foes New Zealand, no doubt dreaming of home whilst sinking a few pints of the amber nectar. This area of “The Smoke” is a magnet for those from down under and has become something of a home from home for exiled Aussies.
A huge cheer signalled a famous Australian victory and a rush to the bar. A quick channel change and a return to normality, at least for us from the North, Leeds were about to kick off the new soccer season against Derby. By now the blue and white hoped shirts of QPR were much in evidence as the kick off drew near.
My son’s mate, a lifelong Rangers fan, had joined us for a drink and confidently predicted a home win. “We are invincible here” he said, “Palace were outplayed just a week ago and they are in the Premiership!”
As we made our way to the Stadium, my first visit to Loftus Road for more than twenty years, one thing was certain, it would be hot, really hot. I well remembered last season’s opener against Cardiff at Millmoor, in similar sweltering temperatures.
Once inside the ground, I was struck by the friendliness of both Stewards and the Police. Indeed, one of the boys in blue proudly announced to all and sundry that he followed the Hornets and his thoughts was some two hundred miles north, at Preston’s Deepdale Road.
I was impressed with the Stadium, a bit dated but all seater and with a capacity of around 18,000. Loftus Road has a truly enclosed cauldron feel to it and makes for a wonderful atmosphere.
As the teams took to the field, the heat was becoming quite unbearable and would play a big part in the forthcoming ninety minutes. Rangers did have, within their ranks, a few familiar players, Arthur Gnohere, recently of Burnley and Kevin Gallen once plying his trade at Oakwell to name but a couple. Up front, big Paul Furlong, once of Chelsea, was one of their target men.
For the Millers, Paul Shaw was making his debut after signing on a three-month loan from the Blades. Chris Sedgwick, absent at Barnsley last week, was fit again and replaced the unfortunate Paul Hurst. Ronnie Moore was a notable absentee from the bench, having been banned from the touchline and it was left to his number two, John Breckin to direct matters on the pitch.
Rotherham started well and might have gone in front in the first minute. Swailes forcing a one handed save from startled home keeper Day, no doubt wondering why his defenders had elected to allow so much room. However, with less than six minutes on the clock, the home team scored much to the delight of three sides of the ground. A seemingly innocuous cross from the right was swung into the penalty area by Johnson and despite the presence of three defenders, Ainsworth ghosted in to plant a firm header beyond Pollitt and into the gaping goal. An air of stunned silence prevailed amongst the travelling support. Perhaps there was a suspicion of offside but nobody protested and the goal was given. Our solid defence had been breached and after less than a few minutes. Some of the fans behind the goal blamed Pollitt for not coming of his line, but in truth with so many defenders in attendance, he must have reasonably expected to see the ball cleared. Afterwards, Minto and Swailes offered the excuse that they were attempting to play him offside. Whatever the reason, this was a bad goal to concede and lifted the crowd.
Rangers roared on by their noisy fans came forward again and Furlong was proving menacing for both central defenders. Ainsworth beat Minto on a couple of occasions but the final ball was poor.
Gradually, the Millers regained their composure and equalised on the quarter hour mark. A fine cross from the right found Richie Barker at the far post; who's well directed header across the face of goal was met by the unmarked Shaw who gleefully headed home. Again there was a suspicion of offside, but once again, no protest and the goal stood.
For the rest of the first period, the Millers were generally in command without creating too many clear-cut opportunities. Rowlands might have expected more than a ticking off after a quite horrendous tackle on Stockdale. To compound matters, Swailes was inexplicably cautioned soon after for a push on Furlong. The former Chelsea man almost put the home team back in front but fired high wide and not so handsome from an acute angle and Pollitt almost casually tipped over another long range effort. However, it was the Millers who finished the stronger and Proctor almost found a way through a static back line but was thwarted by an impressive last-ditch stop.
Presumably in an effort at male bonding, the home players began the second half in a huddle, roundly booed by the travelling support. Early on the move seemed to pay dividends as the Millers were forced on the defensive. Gallen forced a fine save from Pollitt in a rare scoring opportunity as the thermometer reading soared in to the 100’s. Gilchrist ought to have clinched all three points but headed over when it appeared easier to score and Sedgwick finally produced one of his famous surging runs beating a couple of defenders before Day desperately kicked away.
Warne replaced the exhausted Proctor and Vernazza and Scott came on for Mullin and Garner soon after.
As the clock ran down, there was to be one final moment of anxiety as Padula, the home side’s exciting attacking full back crossed from the left, found Gallen unmarked to deliver a powerful header, which was magnificently saved by Pollitt diving to his left. “That was a terrific save to keep them in the game” exclaimed Holloway the Rangers manager. Thankfully the referee ended the contest seconds later and a point had been secured.
Make no mistake, this was a fine performance from the Millers in absolutely appalling heat. Everyone gave a hundred percent and a draw was a fair result. Garner and Mullin worked tirelessly in midfield and Shaw had an impressive debut. Swailes was a man mountain at the back and Richie Barker gave his all. Vernazza showed some useful touches when he came on in the dying moments. Having said all that, there was really only one man of the match. Stand up Mike Pollitt for preserving the point with that wonder save.
Back in the pub after the game, several QPR fans claimed that Pollitt’s save was the finest ever seen at Loftus Road, I for one wouldn’t disagree.
We must now consolidate this start by winning at Millmoor on Tuesday evening. Four points from the first two games what joy….
Chris S
Axholme Miller