Chesterfield 0 - 2 Rotherham United

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Wednesday Dec 05 2007 07:30

Rotherham continue to go from strength-to-strength after another impressive performance was rewarded with a seventh consecutive league victory.

Goals from Derek Holmes and Mark Hudson left Chesterfield empty handed once again at home, but they could have no complaints about the result on a difficult night for both teams.

A strong and swirling wind presented problems for the players, but Rotherham coped better with the conditions and their defence, superbly marshalled by Graham Coughlan, restricted Chesterfield to only a couple of openings.

They might have been in front as early as the fourth minute when Stephen Brogan appeared to be tripped inside the area by Derek Niven, but a mistake by Barry Roche allowed Derek Holmes to put the visitors ahead.

Roche fumbled a 25-yard shot from Chris O'Grady and Holmes reacted quickly to fire into the roof of the net.

Chesterfield came close to an equaliser when Adam Rooney broke away and set up Jamie Ward whose shot on the turn from 20 yards was only just wide, but Rotherham always looked capable of inflicting further damage.

With Pablo Mills presenting a muscular presence in the midfield, Chesterfield struggled to create space for the frontmen and once Rotherham scored again, the game was over.

The second goal arrived when substitute Peter Holmes crossed from the left and O'Grady headed down for Hudson to score from ten yards.

Chesterfield made a double substitution to try and disrupt Rotherham's gameplan, but once Steve Fletcher had headed wide from a cross by Phil Picken, there was only going to be one winner.

Rotherham threatened to score more goals on the break but they had already done enough and on this showing should be among the teams challenging near the top of League Two at the end of the season.

  • 90
    The ref has blown his whistle for full time.
  • 83
    The referee has booked Adam Smith.
  • 82
    Rotherham are replacing Derek Holmes with Dale Tonge.
  • 76
    Ian Sharps goes into the referees book for unsporting behaviour.
  • 68
    The referee has booked Peter Holmes.
  • 68
    Steve Fletcher is booked for unsporting behaviour.
  • 64
    Adam Rooney is being taken off, Adam Smith has come on in his place.
  • 64
    Chesterfield are replacing Felix Bastians with Phil Picken.
  • 62
    Derek Niven is booked for unsporting behaviour.
  • 55
    Goal!! Mark Hudson scores for Rotherham.
  • 46
    The second half is under way with the score currently at 0 v 1.
  • 45
    The ref has blown his whistle for half time.
  • 36
    Rotherham are replacing Ryan Taylor with Peter Holmes.
  • 8
    Goal!! Derek Holmes scores for Rotherham.
  • 0
    The ref has blown his whistle and the match has started.

Statistics

Chesterfield
Shots on target 4
Shots off target 4
Shots off bar/post 0
Fouls 13
Offsides 4
Corners 6

Rotherham United
Shots on target 8
Shots off target 6
Shots off bar/post 0
Fouls 11
Offsides 5
Corners 8

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