Wood goal gives Millers the points
Town: Dean Henderson, Ben Godfrey, Mat Sadler, Omar Beckles, Shaun Whalley, Abu Ogogo (C), Carlton Morris (Lenell John-Lewis 74), Nathan Thomas (Alex Rodman 84), James Bolton, Jon Nolan (Stefan Payne 68) and Aristote Nsiala.
Subs: Craig MacGillivray, Max Lowe, Lenell John-Lewis, Bryn Morris, Luke Hendrie, Alex Rodman, Stefan Payne.
Rotherham United: Marek Rodak, Josh Emmanuel, Will Vaulks, Semi Ajayi, Richard Wood, Anthony Forde (Ryan Williams 63), David Ball (Caolan Lavery 75), Richie Towell, Micheal Ihiekwe, Joe Newell (Matt Palmer 91) and Micheal Smith.
Subs: Matt Palmer, Jon Taylor, Lewis Price, Jerry Yates, Ryan Williams, Shaun Cummings and Caolan Lavery.
Assistants: Ian Rathbone and Nik Barnard
Fourth Official: Joe Clark
Attendance: 7007 (1136)
A disappointing afternoon for the Shrews as they conceded only their third home loss of the season to an inform Rotherham side who have now won five on the bounce. Rotherham put a 45th minute header past keeper Dean Henderson and the goal proved to be fatal.
Team news: Three changes for the Town as Ben Godfrey replaces Bryn Morris in the holding midfield position, James Bolton comes in at right back for Luke Hendrie and finally Nathan Thomas replaces Alex Rodman on the left wing, due to an injury sustained at Town’s win away to Fleetwood Town on Tuesday, however Rodman is fit enough to make the bench. Town will line up in a 4141 formation.
First-Half:
The Town started out the starting blocks in lightening fashion in the first minute, a cross fiercely flashed across goal towards Carlton Morris was narrowly missed, and the Shrews missed an early chance to take the lead.
In what was promising end-to–end start to the game, Rotherham calved out a chance for themselves in the fifth minute, Michael Smith came close from inside the box but put the ball the wrong side of the post.
Some sublime dribbling by Rotherham number 10 David Ball earned him a chance in the box after dribbling past three Shrews defenders, however the powerful shot was saved by Dean Henderson and Rotherham couldn’t fire in the rebound, the scores remained level after 15 minutes.
After some back and forth battling in the midfield, Jon Nolan made a great pass to Shaun Whalley to put the winger through on goal, but Millers keeper Marek Rodak fired out the blocks to prevent Whalley firing home, keeping the scores level in the 25th minute.
The Shrews had another chance in the 30th minute after a corner was fired into the box, after a goal mouth scramble, Marek Rodak was able to grasp the ball and clear his lines for The Milers.
The Millers were inches from going one nil up in the 36th minute, defender Semi Ajayi connected with a corner and shot a powerful header towards goal that just wide of the post.
The Town finally cracked under the Rotherham pressure in the 45th minute, Rotherham had had a corner chance denied but the Millers fired in another cross and Richard Wood headed the ball over Dean Henderson who unsuccessfully came of his line to clear the ball, putting the Millers a goal up.
After a competitive end-to-end first half, Rotherham fired home in the last minute giving The Millers the lead going into the halftime break.
Half-Time: 0-1
Second Half:
The second half got underway with both teams fighting for the ball in the middle of the park, early on Abu Ogogo fired a shot on target from outside the box but the shot was straight down the keepers throat.
It wasn’t until the 60-minute mark that the Shrews had another chance, Shaun Whalley and Jon Nolan combined to give Whalley a chance to cross into the box, but the keeper calmly collected the ball.
Two minutes later Town were beginning to get back into the game, Whalley had another chance to strike the ball home but the Millers keeper kept true to form and stopped the shot.
A substitution for Rotherham as number seven Anthony Forde was replaced by Ryan Williams.
In the 68th minute Stefan Payne was bought onto the pitch, replacing midfielder Jon Nolan.
Frustrations were growing for The Town as Omar Beckles received a yellow card for a late challenge on David Ball in the 70th minute.
Lenell John Lewis was introduced in the 75th minute, replacing Carlton Morris.
Rotherham also made a change; Number 31 Caolan Lavery was bought on, replacing David Ball.
As the game was approaching the last ten minutes, neither team saw any real goalmouth action, with both teams battling hard in the midfield.
A yellow card was given to Rotherham sub Ryan Williams after he obstructed a goal kick from Dean Henderson on the 80th minute.
There was concern for Town in the latter stages of the game as Omar Beckles had to receive treatment after trying to clear the ball in his own half, however the defender was soon back onto his feet.
In the 84th minute, Nathan Thomas made way for Alex Rodman.
A late chance to level the score line fell to Whalley outside the box in the 90th minute; the winger couldn’t keep his shot down and volleyed the ball over the bar.
Rotherham made another substitution as Joe Newell made way for Matt Palmer.
The second half drew to a close after a disappointing afternoon for The Town; Shrewsbury ill have a chance to bounce back on Tuesday as they face Gillingham here at The Montgomery Waters Meadow Stadium.
Full-Time: 0-1