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Bradford City 2 Rotherham United 4 - Millers prevail to leave Bantams fuming
HOW ironic one of the finest goals Rotherham manager Ronnie Moore has ever witnessed did not even make goal of the day.
Gary Roberts's audacious free-kick from just inside the Bradford half proved the difference in an absorbing and frenetic Yorkshire derby.
The swiftly-taken dead-ball caught Simon Eastwood off-guard and off his line.
It was executed with enough precision to beat the stranded City goalkeeper from 45 metres out and bounce off the underside of the bar for a goal worthy of winning such a classic encounter.
"I actually shouted out 'What's he doing?'" recalled Moore, as his side kept hold of third place in League Two.
"But it was one of the best goals I've ever seen.
"If it had been in the Premier League, it would be on all week."
Unbeknown to the Rotherham chief, it was a carbon copy of Wigan's Maynor Figueroa's goal against Stoke earlier in the day – from a couple of metres inside his own half.
Even if he had been starring for Manchester United, Roberts's sublime goal would have been relegated to second billing on Match of the Day but the scorer was not fussed in the slightest.
Such accolades matter little for a young man who only a few months ago was in danger of seeing his bright career disappear down the neck of a bottle.
Beset by alcohol and gambling problems, he was sacked by Yeovil for turning up at a club function worse for wear having endured similar demons at Crewe.
Moore opted to give the former England Youth international captain a chance of redemption and, with his first goal since signing last month helping to hand Rotherham their first win in five games, the gifted playmaker is proving his worth.
"I've settled in quite well and have turned my life around," said the 22-year-old. "My feet will do the talking from now whereas before it was my gob off the pitch doing it all."
There were a lot of talking points – and no little gobbing off – emanating from this free-flowing contest, not least Bradford's viewpoint on Roberts's crucial wonder strike.
The position from where Matt Clarke bundled into Drewe Broughton and gave away the free-kick was around 10 metres nearer the touchline from the more central position from where Roberts actually struck the ball.
Why Premier League referee Lee Probert allowed the midfielder to take the free-kick so far away from the offence, particularly as Bantams manager Stuart McCall was screaming at him about the indiscretion, was rather baffling.
But seconds later, as Rotherham went 3-2 up in the 77th minute, Roberts was wheeling away in delight heading straight for Millers goalkeeping coach Andy Dibble on the touchline.
"Dibbs told me in training that keepers sometimes stand a few yards off their line when free-kicks are given that far out and it's always worth a look," he revealed. "I've never scored a better goal but the main thing is we got the three points."
Bradford were equally as scathing about the goal that clinched those points two minutes from time.
Adam Le Fondre seemed to be offside when he collected a long ball forward and squared for Broughton to tap in.
Earlier, the hosts had taken a 14th minute lead when influential midfielder Lee Bullock hooked in a loose ball.
But it came at a cost, Michael Boulding getting crocked by Pablo Mills for the free-kick which gained the position, limping off and adding to his club's mounting injury list.
The visitors responded on the half-hour through Kevin Ellison.
Eastwood pulled off a fine one-handed save from Broughton's header but Ellison reacted quickest to rifle in the rebound.
The former Hull City winger then finished off a slick move down the left on 37 minutes, Broughton flicking on to Le Fondre and the League Two's top scorer laying off perfectly for Ellison to cut into the box and strike.
Broughton, leading the line with Tom Pope dropped after 16 scoreless games, appeared more like a heavyweight boxer given the effect he had on City's centre half pairing.
Between them, Simon Ramsden and Matt Clarke were left on the floor clutching facial injuries three times in the first half after aerial challenges from the robust frontman.
Moore believed City's defenders were trying to entice a red card and told Eastmond as much after the last incident, the City captain and Rotherham manager almost coming to blows on the touchline.
City, with only one home win since September, levelled just 14 seconds after the re-start when Michael Flynn made the most of a slip-up in the penalty area.
But Rotherham remained dangerous, Le Fondre going close, Ian Sharps's free header striking a post and Flynn required to clear off the line.
They went ahead with Roberts's gem but that was sandwiched by two unbelievable saves from Andy Warrington.
He denied Bullock's scissors kick and a long-range screamer from James O'Brien while Gareth Evans also missed a sitter at the finish as unlucky City slipped to 14th.
Bradford City: Eastwood; Bateson, Clarke, Ramsden, L O'Brien; Neilson (J O'Brien 83), Bullock, Flynn, Whaley (Brandon 72); Hanson M Boulding (Boulding 20). Unused substitutes: McLaughlin, Horne.
Rotherham United: Warrington; Joseph, Mills, Sharps, Green; Ellison, Law, Roberts, Rundle (Harrison 60); Broughton, Le Fondre. Unused substitutes: Annerson, Pope, Brogan, Lynch, Taylor, Nicholas.
MATCH FOCUS
Hero: Gary Roberts
Roberts's amazing, if disputed, strike set up the three points for Rotherham but it was the heroics of veteran goalkeeper Andy Warrington that delivered them. He made a string of fine saves to deny the home side and earn the victory.
Villain: Drewe Broughton
The burly Rotherham striker put himself around on more than one occasion, at times enraging the Bradford players and fans alike. Played on the edge.
Key moment
77th minute: Gary Roberts's decision to shoot from 45 metres paid off and handed Rotherham a crucial lead.
Ref watch
Lee Probert: Why did the Premier League official allow Gary Roberts to take his free-kick out of position?
Verdict
It was hard to believe Bradford City were so under-strength given the level of their excellent performance. They will win plenty more games this season and play much worse. Rotherham, meanwhile, just had the edge throughout the 90 minutes and they certainly enjoyed some fortune. Rotherham, though, were good value for the points.
Quote of the day
They say he's a Premier League referee. Well, Manchester United and Alex Ferguson can happily have him back.
– It seems Bradford City midfielder Lee Bullock is not too keen on Lee Probert.
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Friday 10 February 2012
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