Rovers ended the 2005 with a defeat. Rovers were forced to make several changes with Fenton and McDaid both suspended and Jonathan Forte returning to Sheffield United. Steve Foster was moved to left back and Samuel Oji made his full debut at centre-half. Simon Marples took up the right back position. Lewis Guy was back in the starting eleven to partner Paul Heffernan. Paul Green was replaced by Sean Thornton.
First Half
The first half was pretty dire. Neither side having any clear cut chances. Paul Heffernan picked up a silly yellow card for dissent after complaining about a few fouls that the referee had missed and then giving the home side a very soft free kick. This yellow card was going to come back to haunt the striker.
Second Half
Rovers looked a lot sharper and took the game to the Millers. Rovers were well on top and won a number of corners. The game changed on the 54th minute. Butler had his arm over Stephen Roberts shoulder and around his neck during a tussle that seem to last forever. This occurred in front of the linesman who seemed to be scared stiff to do anything. The ref deemed this assault only to be worthy of a yellow card, the away fans wanted stronger punishment. The injured Roberts was replaced by Mulligan. More drama was around the corner. After a good passing move, Heffernan just had Murdock and the ‘keeper to beat. Heffernan was bought down by the Millers captain just inside the area. A stone wall penalty, unless you’re Mr Sailsbury who decided to caution Heffernan again, this time for diving. With Rovers reduced to ten men it was always going to be difficult. Rovers were forced to defend more but the red and white wizards still had chances to win the game, the most notably was a header wide by ex-Miller Fortune-West. Just before the injury time was up, Jan Budtz failed to deal with a shot and the rebound went straight to Williamson who tapped the ball into the empty net.
Summary
December 2005 was not a great month. We lost cruelly to Arsenal in the League Cup and we only managed to pick up six league points from a possible fifthteen. However we are only five points of the play-offs with 66 points left to play for. The way some fans re-acted yesterday you would have thought we have done nothing this season. Calls for John Doolan to be re-signed, despite the fact he has struggled to pass wind at Blackpool. Some were calling for Albrighton to be put back in the team, despite the recent excellent partnership that Roberts and Foster had struck up together. Just remember that nothing is won and lost in December. We lost to our local rivals, and as fans we are hurting but we never do that well at Millmoor anyway. They might of won this battle but we will win the war.
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