Nigel Johnson’s first half strike registered Rotherham United’s seventh league win in succession – despite Fulham making most of the running at Craven Cottage this afternoon.
Don Mackay’s men switched off from a free-kick midway through the first half, having vigorously contested the decision made by referee Roger Wiseman, and failed to clear their lines allowing Johnson to stride onto a loose ball in the penalty area and strike the only goal of the game past Jim Stannard.
Midweek loan signing from Millwall John McGlashan went straight into the line-up having scored six goals in his last six reserve outings for the Lions and looked lively playing just behind Jeff Eckhardt and Sean Farrell. The hosts had the better of the early exchanges but their first sight of goal didn’t arrive until fifteen minutes in when McGlashan bustled beyond two Millers’ defenders and bent an effort just wide of Billy Mercer’s far post from 25 yards out.
But Fulham’s defensive frailties were also in evidence. Mark Newson played a poor ball out from the back that almost let in Jonathan Howard and the visitors went in front when the Whites were far too passive in dealing with Ian Banks’ set-piece. The home side were gamely undeterred by that setback and Udo Onwere fashioned their best chance of the first half with a fine run before pulling the back for Eckhardt, whose snapshot was wonderfully kept out by Mercer’s legs.
Phil Henson’s side were much more resolute in the second half, operating an effective offside trap, and limiting Fulham to one clear chance which saw substitute Lee Tierling shoot wide of goal. In truth, Rotherham might easily have made the game safe before the home side laid siege to the visiting goal at the death – with Stannard spreading himself superbly to thwart Tony Cunningham on the hour mark.
FULHAM: Stannard; Newson (Tierling 82), G. Thomas, Pike, Marshall;, Onwere, Cooper (Baah 62), Hails, McGlashan, Eckhardt, Farrell.
BOOKED: Newson, Cooper.
ROTHERHAM UNITED: Mercer; Johnson, Law, Pickering, Barrick (Richardson 12), Hutchings, Banks, Goodwin, Hazel, Cunningham, Howard (Page 75).
GOAL: Johnson (23).
REFEREE: Roger Wiseman (Borehamwood)
ATTENDANCE: 3,629.
