The Season That Was 06/07 - September
Last updated : 28 May 2007 By Deano
After three league games unbeaten at the end of August and the Carling Cup visit of Norwich in the pipeline, the team blew a great chance of making it three wins from four and wiping out that ten point deduction.
Michael Keane's missed penalty 15 minutes from time with the side already 1-0 up cost them dear. Dave Hibbert claimed his first goal for the Millers with a seventh minute header from Delroy Facey's cross but Northampton always looked a threat from then on. Scott McGleish pounced to fire in the equaliser from Andy Kirk's assist. And eight minutes from the end McGleish rose unchallenged to head in a free kick from Eoin Jess as the Cobblers took the spoils.
Keane's exploits meant he was dropped for the trip to Saltergate to face bogey neighbours Chesterfield, which didn't go much better either, as Martin Woods had a stinker with people calling him everything under the sun....at least it wasn't torrential rain like the previous year. The team left with a 2-1 defeat, Woods' mishit shot setting up Will Hoskins' goal for the Millers who were level at one stage, but it typified his day. Ex-Miller Paul Shaw was to grab the home sides winner in the second period.
Alan Knill took his squad for a paintballing day to try and boost morale as Ronnie Moore brought his Tranmere side to Millmoor on a cool Tuesday night - and the team responded with a victory, finally wiping out that minus ten.
Lee Williamson found space to fire home a fierce angled shot for his first goal of the season.
Williamson, subject of deadline day interest from Leeds United and Luton Town, worked hard in tandem with Bopp and Justin Cochrane but the hosts were rocked after 28 minutes when Tranmere scored from their first attack.
Good work by Chris Greenacre and Gareth Taylor set up Kevin Ellison and he coolly steered home a precision shot to bring Rovers level with his second of the season.
The Millers had the last laugh though and sealed victory before half time, with Will Hoskins nettig his fifth goal of the season, as he cut in to fire into the bottom corner.
Off the field Pablo Mills appeared in court charged with criminal damage and had his case adjourned until November, and after a much built up but highly drab 0-0 encounter with Donny Rovers at Millmoor, they received an apology after comments made by one supporter from the London Millers branch in the Millers matchday programme branded their fans ''unpleasant, violent halfwits''...
That Cup game against Norwich was to follow, in an epic encounter as the side lost out 4-2, with Ian Henderson and Craig Fleming heavily involved in proceedings until Keane ended Henderson's evening and seemingly his season early with a heavy tackle - we'll hear more about the two City men later in the season. Keane himself was on target to give Rotherham the lead in the first half whist Lee Williamson bagged a penalty on 49 minutes to complete the Millers scoring. After the game Alan Knill gathered his players in a huddle in the centre circle for show of unity, defeated but not dejected.
As the month drew to a close, the scoring spree continued as the lads survived a tense battle at Brisbane Road, coming away with a 3-2 win from early season strugglers Leyton Orient. Another Will Hoskins goal, superbly taken in one movement to lob Glynn Garner in the home goal, to add to Ian Sharps and loanee Scott Wiseman strikes provided a crucial three points.
It was a shame then, that the club couldn't finish on a high. A 2-1 loss at Boundary Park Oldham, and then a complete giveaway at home to Millwall resulting in a 3-2 defeat left the side approaching October with some of their hard work undone, but the signs of promise were still there.
The Lions netted twice in the last minute of the game to snatch victory and take three points back to South London themselves, leaving the Millers to lick their wounds heading into October......
