A new years welcome to the Merry Millers who play the first match of the New Year at a probably sodden Deepdale. Since appointing Neil Redfern their fortunes have improved although getting hammered 4-1 on Tuesday night by Fulham was probably not the best way to end the year. Recent results have been up and down winning at Leeds and beating a hapless Bolton side by 4-0 they are on the edge of the relegation zone seven points behind us, so a win would put us 10 points clear of them. They have lost the last three games away from the New York stadium, their previous away win prior to the Leeds victory was at Birmingham on 26/9/2015. A slightly changed side since we played them earlier in the season, the experienced Lee Camp is now between the sticks, Frecklington and Newell seem to be the main influences in the side, whilst the substitutes bench at Fulham was packed with forwards although that did not help them much. North End have two injury doubts in respects of Gallagher and Vermijl, there will be definitely one change as Sam Johnstone replaces the outstanding Jordan Pickford who has now returned to his parent club. Not sure whether Reach is available as not sure whether his loan spell has expired. For North End time to build ion Monday's excellent performance. And on that Happy New Year to you all
A hard fought victory over a slightly unlucky Rotherham side who went down due to a majestically back headed own goal in the 93rd minute. This was a tale of two halves for North End decidedly average in the first half and the better side in the second. The Millers started brightly and should have taken an early lead when Danny Ward rounded keeper Johnstone only to be denied by an excellent clearance from Bailey Wright. The home side struggled to get into the game against the visitors who played a decent style of passing football and looked far better than some of the sides we have played this season. Closest North End came when Cunningham hammered a cross which hit Reach and went narrowly wide of the post. In a rare bit on incisive football North End broke down the right and Reach was tackled just about when he was going to cross the ball. From the resulting corner the Millers took the lead, the corner was easily cleared and the ball ended up with Ward on the left wing, his cross was perfection and Andru planted an emphatic header into the net, they deserved it. Garner should have equalised but delayed his shot for too long and the ball was forced behind for a corner. Rotherham started the second half brightly but the introduction of Browne for Welsh gave North End more of a foot hold in midfield and suddenly Lee Camp in the Millers goal was having to perform miracles to keep the score level. He denied Huntington, Browne twice, pulled off a save from Doyle and got help from his defenders to clear a Garner effort. North End thought they had scored but good defending just about cleared the ball from the line. North End drew level just after the hour mark when Doyle who had had a shocker scrambled the ball home. Fair play the the Millers they rode out the storm and tried to catch North End on the break and the useful Ward forced Johnstone into a fine finger tip save. North End pressed and pressed but the Millers looked to be quite happy to sit deep and soak up pressure. Millers had brought on Clarke-Harris to put a bit of pace in their forward line, he spent most of the time giving a way cheap free kicks, however his moment was still to come. Deep into injury time Vermijl took a long throw the ball was horribly misjudged by Clarke-Harris with the ball flying over the helpless Camp to nestle in the far corner of the goal. Ecstasy amongst the home faithful, first time this season we have scored two at home. Little time for a Millers equaliser as North End increased the gap between themselves and the strugglers to 10 points. Slightly hard on the Millers who looked better than their position suggests however when you are at the bottom your luck tends to desert you. Preston North End 2 Rotherham United 1 Att 12027
