Rotherham United vs Luton Town FC (15th Apr 2023)

Report | Rotherham United 0-2 Luton Town

The Hatters made a quickfire return to third-place in the Sky Bet Championship table with a superb 2-0 win at Rotherham.

Leading goalscorer Carlton Morris struck on the stroke of half-time to make it 18 goals for the season, before Cauley Woodrow added a second soon after the break to extend the Town's unbeaten run to ten matches and lift them back above Middlesbrough on 74 points.

Manager Rob Edwards made two enforced changes, with captain Sonny Bradley returning from the start for the first time since November 1st, when he suffered a knee injury against Reading.

Also in from the kick-off was Woodrow, partnering Morris up front, as Alfie Doughty and Elijah Adebayo missed out through injury having gone off in the 3-1 win over Blackpool on Easter Monday.

The Hatters kicked-off in fourth place following Boro's 5-1 Friday night win over Norwich, unbeaten in nine matches overall and on a nine-game undefeated run on the road, too.

Rotherham were in good form themselves, unbeaten in three and 18th in the table, four points above the relegation zone.

After a feisty opening few minutes, with Morris and Rotherham centre-half Cameron Humphreys spoken to by referee Leigh Doughty following an altercation by the corner flag, the Hatters made the early running.

Mpanzu saw a shot blocked in the area, while his sidekick Campbell was latching onto every loose ball in midfield and probing to create an opening for top scorer Morris.

The Millers tried to make inroads down the side of the Hatters' new-look back three, with Reece Burke and Tom Lockyer either side of Bradley, but Ethan Horvath was equal to Jordan Hugill's low cross from the right and Chiedozie Ogbene over-hit his from the left.

Morris saw an attempted curler blocked by Conor Coventry on 23 minutes before Lockyer tried his luck in the 26th, although his 25-yard shot was only troubling the home fans behind the goal.

Rotherham midfielder Leo Hjelde was first into ref Doughty's book for a foul on Drameh, and he was soon joined by Reece Burke for pulling back Ogbene.

Morris headed onto the roof of the Millers' net from Woodrow's clever cross five minutes before half-time, then Ogbene sliced a shot wide at the other end while off balance, under pressure from Marvelous Nakamba.

Rotherham keeper Josh Vickers made a brilliant save to deny Amari'i Bell a 43rd-minute opener after a lung-bursting run to the byline by Cody Drameh, but the breakthrough wasn't long in arriving.

The Hatters maintained the pressure and kept the hosts penned in their own box, with Bell sending in a deep cross that Tyler Blackett could only flick to the feet of Morris well beyond the far post.

The ex-Millers loanee, who had been booed continuously following the early exchange with Humphreys, chopped back onto his left foot and curled into the top corner for his 18th goal of the season, and the perfect chance to silence the crowd.

Town were two goals to the good within a couple of minutes of the restart, after ref Doughty rightly penalised Rotherham defender Wes Harding for handball as he looked to shepherd Drameh's spinning cross out for a goal-kick.

Woodrow stepped up to take the penalty, which was saved by Vickers but the Town forward was first to react, steering home the rebound for his third goal of the season.

Morris came close again on 56 minutes, volleying Bradley's knock-down from Drameh's corner into the side-netting, but after the Hatters had survived an appeal for a penalty for handball as Jamie Lindsay fired a shot in from 25 yards, the striker was substituted in the 67th minute after receiving treatment for a knock, with Joe Taylor coming on in his place.

Mpanzu was soon trying to add a third, curling over from Woodrow's clever lay-off, then sub Luke Berry - on for Woodrow - was denied by a block as he looked to finish off a flowing move that had seen Drameh and Mpanzu raiding down the right.

Berry had the ball in the net a couple of minutes later, only for an offside flag to rule it out, then Bradley saw an 81st-minute header from Drameh's right-wing corner saved by Vickers.

Town's immense backline was depleted with Burke going off with a knock on 86 minutes, with Mpanzu dropping into right-sided centre-half and Luke Freeman on in midfield.

But with skipper Bradley and Lockyer both immense, as Burke had been alongside them, a 19th clean sheet of the campaign was secured in Ethan Horvath's quest for the golden glove, the only goals from open play the Hatters having conceded in the last 15 games coming in the 2-2 home draw with Millwall on February 28th and the one against Blackpool.

Now focus turns to the trip to Reading on Wednesday night and the chance to cement a place in the play-offs for the second season in a row.

TOWN: Horvath, Drameh, Burke (Freeman 86'), Lockyer, Bradley (C), Bell, Nakamba, Mpanzu, Campbell, Morris (Taylor 66'), Woodrow (Berry 70').

Subs: Shea, Lansbury, Watson, Thorpe.

Goals: Morris 45', Woodrow 47'

MILLERS: Vickers, Harding, Coventry (Rathbone 52'), Fosu (Wood 68'), Hugill (C), Ogbene, Lindsay, Peltier (Bramall 58'), Humphreys, Hjelde (Quina 52'), Blackett (Kelly 68').

Subs: Hemfrey (GK), Odoffin.

Att: 11,009 (2,125 Hatters)

REFEREE: Leigh Doughty

Reaction | Rob Edwards on Rotherham win!

Manager Rob Edwards heaped praise on his whole squad after an 11th away win of the season took the Hatters to within a point of securing a play-off spot.

The manager brought Sonny Bradley in for his first start in more than five months, along with Cauley Woodrow for just his fourth of the campaign, and was rewarded with the captain playing a huge part in a 19th clean sheet and a third goal of the season from the latter.

“I’m really pleased with the lads and I’ve just said that in there now, it's going to take everybody,” said Edwards. “I can’t guarantee everyone’s going to get the minutes, but they’re a big part of it, the whole squad, whether that’s in training, or whether they get on for a minute, whether they get on for 20, or whether they play 95 minutes.

“We’re going to need everybody to be successful, so I’m really pleased today, because there were a couple of changes, one or two playing out of position, or in different positions, but they played really, really well.

“Full credit to Sonny, I thought he was outstanding, coming in after such a long time out. We felt Sonny would be able to do deal with Hugill well and then Locks with Ogbene a little bit more as well, so that was the thinking behind it.

“Cauley came in as well, who hasn’t started as much as he would like, and thought he was terrific as well.”

On the match itself, with the Hatters dominating possession in a first half that ended with an opening goal for Carlton Morris with 45 minutes on the clock, Edwards couldn’t hide his delight.

“We certainly deserved it,” he added. “The back end of the first half I thought we were outstanding, thought we had 20-25 minutes of real control, dominated the game and probed really well.

“We got to the final third well, just lacked that little bit of a spark, but it was coming.

“We had Carlton’s header just before and there were one or two moments, and then Carlton’s magic got us that first goal to go in at half time and go ok, loads of good stuff going on, but that’s how we’re going to kick on.

“It was a fantastic bit of skill from Cody in the second half to get the penalty, to go 2-0 up and then onus is not on us to go chasing the game and when we’re in that stage and I know they then make some changes and change their shape, I want our lads to believe in themselves even more.

“They showed in the first half how good they can be in keeping the ball, and we can be good and see the game out with a little bit more control if you like, but it’s hard when they throw the kitchen sink at you there’s a lot of giants on the pitch.”

He added: “There were a couple of yellow cards knocking about, one or two that were warranted and maybe one or two that weren’t, but overall, I’m delighted with that group in there.

“They fight so hard for each other, fight so hard for the club, for the badge, for the fans – and that’s why they're so happy going home today as well.”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2Pox0btfDzw – Rob Edwards post match interview

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9R4z0E9W5N0 – full time scenes

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L_8t5tkFRRM – Match highlights

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1eeNYAEctmY – Sonny Bradley interview

Morris and Woodrow on target as Luton refuse to give up on automatic promotion hopes with Millers win

Championship: Rotherham United 0 Luton Town 2

Two goals either side of half-time meant Luton did their bit in keeping up the pressure on second placed Sheffield United and refused to give up on their hopes of automatic promotion with a solid 2-0 victory at struggling Rotherham United this afternoon.

With the Blades extending their lead to eight points ahead of kick-off by beating Cardiff 4-1 and Middlesbrough hitting five past Norwich last night to leapfrog Town into third, the Hatters responded in the perfect manner thanks to strikes from Carlton Morris and the recalled Cauley Woodrow.

Woodrow was making just his fourth league start of the season in place of Elijah Adebayo, with boss Rob Edwards forced into another change from the 3-1 win over Blackpool, Alfie Doughty failing to recover from his head injury, club captain Sonny Bradley in for his first start since November.

It might have been thought that Bradley would start on the left of the back three, but that wasn't the case, Tom Lockyer moving out from his usual position in the centre and the skipper taking over.

With 10 minutes gone, the Hatters had their first real opportunity, Lockyer going long to Morris, the former Rotherham forward doing well to tee up Pelly-Ruddock Mpanzu, who with his confidence boosted from last Monday's double, wasn't afraid to let fly, a covering United defender doing enough.

Bar one low cross he had to dive on, visiting stopper Ethan Horvath wasn't troubled in the opening exchanges, Town's altered back-line looking secure, even if not unduly tested.

In fact, Lockyer tried to make a name for himself at the other end of the pitch, as picking the ball up in an advanced position, he tried to find the top corner from 30 yards, only to see his radar on the blink.

Woodrow had claims for a penalty turned down on 37 minutes when he was clearly held in the area, referee Leigh Doughty not agreeing.

The forward was starting to get into the game in the latter stages of the first period, winning a corner and then from Cody Drameh's delivery, able to cross for Morris to head narrowly over.

Rotherham's Chiedozie Ogbene scuffed off target, before the 2,000-plus Town support at the other end of the ground thought they had taken the lead when Amari'i Bell reacted first to a loose ball and fire goalwards, Millers keeper Josh Vickers somehow throwing himself in the way to parry.

It mattered not though, Luton making the most of their spell of territory with a goal on the stroke of half time.

Bell was involved again, as his ball in fell to Morris at the back post, who beat his man and then on his left foot from an acute angle, was able to curl into the top corner for his 18th of the season, straight over to celebrate in front of the fans who had been goading him all half.

Luton's fine finish to the first half was carried on to the second, as with under 60 seconds gone, a marvellous piece of skill on the touchline by Drameh saw his cross bounce up and hit the hand of Wes Harding, referee Doughty signalling to the spot for Luton's second penalty of the season.

Woodrow, who going into the game, had scored his most goals in his career against Rotherham, with five in total, stepped up, seeing his effort saved by the diving Vickers.

Fortunately the rebound fell straight at the feet of the forward who, despite stumbling, made no mistake to instantly double the visitors' advantage.

Luton then looked to drive their authority home, Drameh's low corner touched on by Burke, with Jordan Hugill having to stab behind, the second delivery met by Bradley and Morris firing into the side-netting.

Rotherham boss Matt Taylor rang the changes, but it didn't alter the momentum of the game, Tyler Blackett's free kick never looking like it was going to find the bottom corner.

The Millers screamed for their own spotkick when Jamie Lindsay's attempt cannoned against Campbell, the Scottish midfielder having barely moved a muscle, which meant Rotherham's claims rightly waved away by Doughty.

Midway through the half, Luton had a moment of real concern when Morris chased a ball forward before pulling up appearing to be holding his ankle.

Although he immediately saw on the turf, he was able to get up fairly comfortably and almost waved away the inevitable substitution, but with the leading scorer such an important part of Luton's promotion challenge, Edwards took no chances, Joe Taylor on.

Mpanzu looked to make it three in two games, powering over the bar from just outside the box, as with Woodrow also struggling, he made way for Luke Berry with 20 minutes to go.

With Rotherham needing the points themselves in their battle to stay up, the game then became incredibly open, Town almost adding a third when Drameh slid Mpanzu away, he picked out Berry whose first time effort drew a fantastic block from a covering defender.

Berry did have the ball in the net on 73 minutes, controlling and deftly controlling and flicking in from Taylor's header, but he was flagged offside.

Luton continued to defend their box with the kind of efforts that had seen them with the miserly defensive away record, before always looking a threat going forward, Bradley's header saved by a diving Vickers.

Edwards' side were able to see the final stages out though, with a 19th clean sheet of the campaign, extending their unbeaten run to 10 matches and their away record to no defeats in 10 now, a truly magnificent record since Edwards took over.

Millers: Josh Vickers, Wes Harding, Conor Coventry (Ollie Rathbone 51), Tarique Fosu (Georgie Kelly 68), Jordan Hugill ©, Chiedozie Ogbene, Jamie Lindsay, Lee Peltier (Cohen Bramall 58), Cameron Humphreys, Leo Hjelde (Domingos Quina 51), Tyler Blackett (Richard Wood 68).

Subs not used: Robbie Hemfrey, Georgie Kelly, Hakeem Odoffin.

Hatters: Ethan Horvath, Cody Drameh, Reece Burke (Luke Freeman 85), Tom Lockyer, Sonny Bradley (C), Amari'i Bell, Marvelous Nakamba, Allan Campbell, Pelly-Ruddock Mpanzu, Cauley Woodrow (Luke Berry 70), Carlton Morris (Joe Taylor 66).

Subs not used: James Shea, Henri Lansbury, Louie Watson, Elliot Thorpe.

Bookings: Hjelde 36, Burke 37, Campbell 61, Drameh 78, Nakamba 90, Quina 90, Mpanzu 90.

Referee: Leigh Doughty.

Attendance: 11,009 (2,125 Hatters).

Edwards quick to praise Luton's squad mentality as they earn victory at Rotherham

Morris and Woodrow on target to down Millers

Luton boss Rob Edwards was quick to hail the efforts of his squad in making it 10 games unbeaten with a 2-0 victory at Rotherham UNited this afternoon.

The Hatters had been forced into two changes ahead of kick-off, with Sonny Bradley and Cauley Woodrow in for their first starts since NOvember and January respectively.

During the second period, and with Town leading by two goals thanks to Carlton Morris and Woodrow, the pair had to be replaced by Joe Taylor and Luke Berry, with Luke Freeman also on for Reece Burke in the closing stages.

It mattered not though, the visitors proving too strong for their struggling hosts, as Edwards said: “I’m really pleased with the lads.

"I’ve just said that in there now, it's going to take everybody.

"I can’t guarantee everyone’s going to get the minutes, but they’re a big part of it, the whole squad, whether that’s in training, or whether they get on for a minute, whether they get on for 20, or whether they play 95 minutes.

“We’re going to need everybody to be successful, so I’m really pleased today, because a couple of changes, one or two playing out of position, or in different positions, but played really, really well.

"Full credit to Sonny, I thought he was outstanding, coming in after such a long time out.

"We felt Sonny would be able to deal with (Jordan) Hugill well and then Locks (Tom Lockyer) with (Chiedozie) Ogbene a little bit more, so that was the thinking behind it.

"Cauley came in as well, who hasn’t started as much as he would like, but I thought he was terrific, so really, really pleased.”

After a quiet opening to the contest, Luton then started to get on the front foot and after Amari'i Bell had been denied by keeper Josh Vickers, Morris curled home a superb opener on the stroke of half time.

Immediately after the break, Town had a second, Cody Drameh’s cross handled by Wes Harding and Woodrow firing home after his spotkick was saved by Vickers.Edwards added: “We certainly deserved it.

"The back end of the first half I thought we were outstanding, we had 20-25 minutes of real control, dominated the game, and probed really well.

"We got to the final third well, just lacked that little bit of a spark, but it was coming.

"Carlton’s header just before and there were one or two moments and then Carlton’s magic got us that first goal to go in at half time and go ‘ok, loads of good stuff going on, but that’s how we’re going to kick on.’

"It was a fantastic bit of skill from Cody in the second half to get the penalty, to go 2-0 up and then the onus is not on us to go chasing the game.

"When we’re in that stage and I know they then make some changes and change their shape, I want our lads to believe in themselves even more.

"They showed in the first half how good they can be in keeping the ball, and we can be good and see the game out with a little bit more control if you like.

"It’s hard when they throw the kitchen sink at you, there’s a lot of giants on the pitch, a couple of yellow cards knocking about, one or two that were warranted and maybe one or two that weren’t, but overall, delighted with that group in there.

"They fight so hard for each other, fight so hard for the club, for the badge, for the fans, that’s why they're so happy going home today as well.”