Last 16: Rotherham 2:0 Darlington

Jammer set the tone early with some strong chasing of the ball and the midfielders, followed suit.

The opening 5 minutes was all IMFC pressure with them coming close on a number of occasions. JV was playing some classic wing play with many balls into the box, all just missing the strikers and bursting midfielders. The remainder of the first half followed suit with the Millers pressing, looking for an opening. To be fair to Darlington they hung in well but they didn’t have the power on the counter attack to trouble the organized IMFC back 4.

Come half time the Millers were much more satisfied with their performance even though they lacked that goal they deserved. It would not be long into the second half until IMFC made it 1-0.

A long ball set Burnsy free on goal and as he rounded the onrushing keeper he sent himself wider than planned. His left foot shot at goal from an acute angle trickled on to the post and bounced clear. With men getting back the ball fell to Gaz who had burst forward in support. He waited and waited until putting the ball on a six pence for Burnsy to nod the ball in from two yards out. Mr Burns was back in the goals.

From here on in IMFC relaxed and went close on a number of occasions. Darlington battled hard to the end but never really troubled the millers and it was only a matter of time before the second goal came along.

JV broke down the right hand side and after some classic wing play he squared the ball to Jammer on the edge of the box. After having two attempts blocked, Jammer finally made sure and slotted the ball home to give the Millers a two goal cushion.

From here the Millers cruised to victory, making a few substitutions to rest legs for further rounds. Darlington had been a sporting side and worked hard but the Millers must count themselves lucky that in the last 16 they avoided some of the big names in the tournament. However, the biggest of all names was about to come!

Are you Man U you?

In the group stages on the Saturday a lot of noise was coming from the pitch next to ours. Upon investigating we noticed it was a game between Man United and Inter Milan. To say the tackles were a bit rough was an understatement and there were several yellows and a red card for a ridiculously late tackle in the corner. However, what was clear is that these were two very capable sides with quality around the park. Man United ran out 1-0 winners in a controversial game that either upset the IFA purist or excited the hot blooded spectators.

What was for sure is that in the ¼ finals little old Rotherham would come up against the English giants from Manchester and if IMFC wanted to progress to the latter stages of the tournament each game from here on in would require that little bit extra from each and every player. With a much better performance against Darlington the management team went for the same side and even though tired legs and injuries were creeping in, the adrenaline was just about to kick in.

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