Two goals from Richard Wood means it's heartbreak for Town at Wembl
Town: Dean Henderson, Ben Godfrey, Mat Sadler, Omar Beckles, Shaun Whalley, Carlton Morris (Lenell John-Lewis, 65), James Bolton (Joe Riley, 73), Bryn Morris (Stefan Payne, 55), Jon Nolan, Aristote Nsiala and Alex Rodman.
Subs: Craig MacGillivray, Joe Riley, Max Lowe, Junior Brown, Lenell John-Lewis, Sam Jones and Stefan Payne.
Subs: Lewis Price, Anthony Forde, Matt Palmer, Ben Purrington, Ryan Williams, Shaun Cummings and Caolan Lavery.
Refreree: Rob Jones
Assistants: Neil Davies and Dan Robathan
Fourth Oficcial: Scott Duncan
Attendance: 26,218
Team News: Town start an unchanged line up from the games against Charlton Athletic in the Semi Finals. Junior Brown makes his long awaited return to the match day squad after a lengthy spell out injured; the defender will start on the bench. Town old boy Jon Taylor starts for The Millers.
It wasn’t to be this time around at Wembley for Shrewsbury. Alex Rodman’s second half equaliser wasn’t enough to spur Town onto a victory. A late second goal from The Millers captain Richard Wood ensured Rotherham were the victors in the Play-Off Final as Town lost the game 2-1 in extra time.
First half:
The game got underway with both teams pressuring each teams back four. Early on in the half Omar Beckles brought down Richard Wood in the box as Rotherham delivered in a corner. Referee Rob Jones awarded The Millers a penalty but Dean Henderson ensured Rotherham didn’t take the lead by saving David Ball’s spot kick.
Town’s pressure was forcing chances for Hurst’s men but the Shrews couldn’t find the back of the net. Shaun Whalley was looking bright on the right wing and firing crosses into the box. A cross in the 22nd minute narrowly missed on coming Alex Rodman’s head and the ball went out for a Rotherham goal kick.
At the other end Rotherham were also having chances but Town’s defence was remaining sealed shut. Henderson was being a real presence in the box claiming the swung in crosses from The Millers wingers.
Whalley was given a yellow card for a challenge on Millers defender Joe Mattock in the 28th minute.
Some tidy wing play by Jon Nolan earned Town a chance after a period of good pressure from the Shrews. Carlton Morris met Nolan’s delivery but the striker couldn’t find the target with his header amidst pressure from Richard Wood.
Up the other end Rotherham broke on the counter and earned their side a corner. The Millers captain Wood, rose above the pack and nodded home the goal that broke the deadlock in the 32nd minute, giving Rotherham the lead.
Frustrations were starting to show as James Bolton was given a yellow card for a late challenge on Joe Newell.
Town went into the break at half time a goal down to Rotherham United.
Second half:
Town came out from the break with intent. Straight off the bat Carlton Morris was driving the ball forward into the danger area but couldn’t find a Town boot with his driven cross and the ball zipped out for a goal kick.
Town’s next real chance came with 10 minutes of the half gone, with a free kick awarded on the edge of the box. A clever set piece passing move around the Millers defenders saw the ball fall to Rodman in the six yard box and the winger tucked home the ball past Marek Rodak, giving Town the equaliser.
A good spell of play from Rotherham saw the Millers create a chance through Will Vaulks. The player let a driven shot go from outside of the box but Henderson got down well and parried away the ball.
Lenell John-Lewis was the next player to come close to causing a problem for Rodak. The striker intercepted a poor pass from The Millers defender but he lashed the ball just wide of the post.
Town and Rotherham were battling back and forth trying to trouble each teams defence. Henderson made an incredible one on one save to deny the Millers, then Whalley came close at the other end but Rodak managed to get a hand on the low shot.
Henderson kept Town in the game during injury time. The keeper made a great save, leaping onto the other side of the goal to deny Ryan Williams’ powerful shot, keeping the scores level.
The regular 90 minutes ended 1-1 and extra time was required.
Extra time:
Mat Sadler was given a yellow card for a challenge on Rotherham number 23 Williams.
Rotherham got in on goal in the first half of extra time. Wood got on the end of a lifted ball and curled the ball into the corner of the net, giving The Millers the lead.
The game ended 2-1 to Rotherham as The Millers kept possession well and limited any chances for Town. Town once again suffered Wembley heartbreak but the players and staff can be proud of their efforts over the course of a long season.