By Nathan Jackson
August 7 2010

In what has become a worrying trend since Sutton took over, the Imps conceded a goal in the final five minutes to deny them what would have been a first point over the Millers in seven meetings. City had fallen behind early before deservedly drawing level in the second half, but it was a late header at the back post that cost the Imps.  

City started well and forced the game's first chance as O'Keefe headed over from a free kick. Adam Le Fondre was quickly up to his old tricks as he was on the ground after a collision with Watts, only to then bounce back up very quickly as soon as he say Watts wasn't getting booked. However, he was also up to his other trick very quickly as he smashed in an Ellison shot that had been blocked by Watts. City were losing just eight minutes into the new season.

Jarrett was booked for a foul on Newby before Broughton headed a Carayol ball into Warrington's hands. Infact, the first half was relatively void of attempts from either sides as they were locked in a midfield battle. City's attacks were breaking down as soon as they started due to the unambitious 4-5-1 formation, whereas Rotherham were struggling to get anywhere near the City area.

The second half was far more exciting for the Imps fans as City actually showed some attacking intent. It didn't start in that sense for City though as Ellison almost scored against his former team from a diving header. Swaibu cleared another Rotherham attack a few minutes later and it landed at the feet of Mustapha Carayol. The Gambian rounded his defender easily and smashed it towards the back post, taking a slight deflection on it's way into the net and not only did he join the list of debut-goalscorers for City, he became the first ever Imp to score at the Don Valley Stadium.

Carayol could so easily have made it 2-1 five minutes later as he rounded several defenders before smashing the ball over when one-on-one with Warrington. City were dominating and the vast majority of the half was being spent in the Rotherham half and O'Keefe was unfortunate not to join Carayol on the debut goalscorers list as his goalbound effort was blocked.

The game's tempo slowed for a while but the Imps were still well in control, they were just struggling to get shots on goal.....and were punished. After spending most of the second half in their own half of the pitch, Rotherham broke forward and Law chipped it to the unmarked Cresswell at the back post. He headed it in in the 87th minute and that was effectively it.

Imps suffer opening day heartbreak at Rotherham

Discussion started by theimps.ka (IP Logged), 07/08/2010 20:59

theimps.ka
07/08/2010 20:59

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