It’s Rich pickings for Wood
............... 2
ROTHERHAM
PAUL WARNE was not getting carried away after two goals from Richard Wood saw Rotherham equal their best-ever start to a secondtier campaign.
Wood struck in either half as the Millers extended their unbeaten run and went fifth with a game in hand.
The Rotherham captain powered a header past John Ruddy from Dan Barlaser’s cross to open the scoring before Chiedozie Ogbene poked well wide from Cohen Bramall’s low ball across goal.
Barlaser missed a great chance to double the lead when Ruddy saved his penalty with his legs.
Barlaser though linked up once more with Wood, who converted from close range as the hosts claimed their first home victory over Blues since October 1989.
Millers boss Warne said:
“It’s just a good start. I’m not bothered about records, we could lose the next three and come crashing down.
“But I’m really pleased with the lads, I keep saying to them about being confident, you don’t have to fear anyone if you’re at your absolute best.
“I think that’s as entertaining a football team as we can put together so I’m really pleased with them.”
It was a third defeat in four games for Birmingham, who are enduring a turbulent time with the ongoing takeover talk that has failed to materialise.
Head coach John Eustace said: “We knew they were very good from set-pieces and we worked very hard on that this week so to concede the way we did was very frustrating and disappointing.” ROTHERHAM: Johansson 7; Hall 8, Wood 8, Humphreys 7 (Harding (49) 7); Barlaser 7; Norton-Cuffy 7, Wiles 7, Rathbone 7
(High (75) 6), Bramall 7 (Ferguson (52), 7); Ogbene 7, Washington 6 (Eaves (74) 6) BIRMINGHAM: Ruddy 7; Sanderson 7, Roberts 6, Trusty 6; Colin 6 (Graham (46)
6), Bacuna 6 (Bellingham (83) 6), James 7 (Stirk (67) 6), Hall 6 (Gardner (68) 6), Williams 6; Hogan 6, Deeney 6 (Cosgrove (67) 6)
STAR MAN: Richard Wood. Two goals and led by example at both ends of the pitch. REF: Gavin Ward 7