Moore praises team after Baggies win

Last updated : 29 February 2004 By Bigrich.....
The Millers wethered the storm that West Brom threw at them during the first 15-20 minutes, and with Richie Barker coming on for the ill Martin Butler after 24 minutes, but rather than have an adverse effect on the visitors, the forced change altered the flow of the contest and Rotherham slowly dragged themselves into the game - arguably finishing the half the stronger of the two sides.

Into the second half West Brom manager Gary Megson, threw on 3 subs on 55 minutes, it changed things for a while with Geoff Horsefield going close on the hour mark.

But on 73 minutes the Millers broke the deadlock, with Richie Barker and Darren Moore on the penalty area deck injured after a tussle, tha ball came to Chris SEDGEWICK who calmly went round the injured duo to slot the ball home.

West Brom then put us under some considerable pressure, with the referee and linesmen not helping the Millers cause with some dubious decisions, and Mike Pollitt pulling off a great save from a Jason Koumas free kick.

After 3 last minute goals against us in the last 4 games, us Millers fans were willing for the final whistle, and after 5 minutes injury time it came to give Rotherham a precious 3 points.

After the game Ronnie said: "They had us 11-2 to win at The Hawthorns, I can't imagine many people betting on that."

"Don't go asking me if I did - you know we are not allowed to do that." joked Ronnie.

"Having conceded goals in the last minute recently, you do get nervous and the referee played another minute over the three that had been indicated, so the referee tried his hardest to make it difficult for us. I don't know whether he was testing my ticker but we defended well. There were some vital last minute tackles and maybe we had a bit of luck when Gregan's shot hit Johnson. Chris Swailes and Shaun Barker played very well, Swaz was immense at the back."

"It was a great finish from Chris Sedgwick for the winner when two lads were laying down in the box, I'm glad he didn't kick the ball out to let the physio on. He has been due a goal. It's still tight at the bottom end of the table although this win is a big bonus for us, it eases the pressure and if we can win our next two home games it will ease even more. It will be nice when we get that 50 points, then we can go on to 60."