Super Millers tame Tigers

Goals from Lee Frecklington and Joe Newell capped an eye-catching 2-0 win and a performance that was unrecognisable from the limp showing at Huddersfield in midweek. Neil Redfearn’s battlers defended stoutly and although they rode their luck at times, they took their chances when they came.

After a balanced opening, the deadlock was broken on 27 minutes. Kirk Broadfoot robbed Moses Odubajo and was then felled by the City full-back. Frecklington smashed the resulting penalty high into the net.

While the the Millers stitched together some decent stuff in the first half, they had to fight  desperately hard to protect their lead up to the interval. Lee Camp did well to claw Jake Livermore’s header clear and somehow foil Chuba Akpom when he looked certain to convert right on the goal-line. Akpom also curled wide from a counter-attack but the half time team talk was a much happier one than usual for Redfearn.

City carried the momentum into the second half, with Akpom hitting the post just minutes in, but Rotherham  held firm and doubled their advantage on 57 minutes. Newell took possession out wide and cut in to rattle in off the frame of the goal.

The goal took the wind out of the visitors and Joe Mattock and Danny Ward, who did a sterling job as the  lone striker, both worked Allan McGregor. It was still a tense finish, with Akpom hitting a post for a second time and Harry Maguire planting a free header wide for Hull before the points were secured.

The Millers walked off to a standing ovation from the home fans in a crowd of more than 10,000 at the AESSEAL New York Stadium.

Millers: Camp, Kelly (Buxton 46), Mattock, Broadfoot, Rawson, Grant Ward, Frecklington (Andreu 84), Smallwood, Hyam, Newell,  Danny Ward (Clarke-Harris 80)

Hull City: McGregor, Odubajo (Diame 56), Robertson, Maguire, Davies, Elmohamakjdy, Meyler (Huddlestone 67), Livermore, Maloney, Akpom, Hernandez (Diomande 67)

Referee: Eddie Ilderton (Tyne and Wear)

Attendance: 10,355 (2,571 visitors)