Rotherham United 1 Oxford United 0: Grabban grabs Millers’ spotlight

After all the speculation about his departure, the top scorer stepped out for the Millers’ opening day encounter despite two bids from Sheffield Wednesday and further interest from Coventry City – who were rumoured to be prepared to offer another former Rochdale striker, Clive Platt, in part-exchange.

Millers chief Andy Scott said he would be more than happy if Le Fondre, in the final year of his contract, remains but believes a move will happen sometime.

“Clearly he wants to improve himself, play at a higher level and I’m sure, at some stage, he’ll be able to do that,” said Scott.

“But he knows it has got to be right for the football club and he appreciates that fact and has been first class in the way he has handled it.

“We’ll see if anyone comes back with a better offer but I’m not bothered really because I want him in my side and our preparation was all done on the assumption he’d be playing.

“Until we get what we want, then people can speculate all they like and if we do get the right bid then I’ll be delighted for him and the football club.

“We’ve invested a lot of time and energy into him and if it is financially beneficial for the club then he’ll go to a bigger club at a higher level and earn more money – and players who do well deserve to do that,” concluded the Millers chief.

Le Fondre lined up as one of only four players who were in the side on the final day of last season as they kicked off this final campaign at Don Valley.

Le Fondre was one of a three-pronged strike force along with Chris Holroyd and Lewis Grabban

In the first half, Oxford’s Hall glanced a header which hit the far post and Duberry put the rebound over the top.

Against a stiff breeze, the Millers scored what proved the winning goal in the 48th minute.

When the ball was played to Danny Schofield just outside the area, he flicked it neatly first time towards Grabban, who took a touch and then struck a super effort high into the far side.

Rotherham United: Logan, Tonge, Cresswell, Brown, Newey, Schofield (Pringle 84), Taylor, Harrison,Grabban,Le Fondre, Holroyd (Evans 72). Unused substitutes: Warrington, Marshall, Raynes.

Oxford United: Clarke, Batt, Duberry, Wright, Tonkin (Pittman 68), Hall (Leven 75), Whing, Payne (Potter 57), Davis, Smalley, Constable. Unused substitutes: Brown,Heslop.

Referee: D Mohareb (Cheshire).

Man of the match: Lewis Grabban.