Cardiff City confirmed Rotherham United’s return to League 1 with a late equaliser at the Cardiff City Stadium, despite a valiant effort from the visitors.
Rotherham exploded out of the starting blocks with a goal inside the opening ten minutes. The ball deflected upwards as the hosts cleared a cross and the ball fell to Lewis Wing, who struck the ball with a first-time volley from just over 20 yards out from goal.
The response could have been almost instant, with Harry Wilson threatening from a free kick in a similar position to the goal that sealed his hat-trick against Birmingham City in his previous outing. He hit the ball with venom but without the dip required to keep it on target.
Derby caused constant problems for Cardiff in the opening 20 mins with their intensity in the press off of the ball. Players like Marlon Pack and Ciaron Brown were consistently put under pressure to play the long ball early, which would almost always result in a change of possession as Jamal Blackman would easily gather the loose ball.
The Millers almost made it two from the first clear-cut chance of the match as a result of a corner kick. Ryan Giles’ delivery found veteran centre-back Richard Wood at the far post who should have done better with his headed effort which just skewed wide.
The visitors had another great chance on the half-hour mark. The two forwards combined as Smith broke free down the left flank and did superbly to find Matt Crooks who had the opportunity to double the lead from just beyond the penalty spot. The pressure from Curtis Nelson meant that Crooks opened his foot too much when striking, meaning the ball fizzled wide for a goal-kick.
Angus McDonald also could have put his name on the scoresheet, with his half-volleyed effort bringing out an excellent reaction save from Cardiff keeper Dillon Phillips.
The first half belonged to the visitors, who suffocated Cardiff City into making errors both on the ball and off the ball. The pattern of play made it look as though there were two or three more Rotherham shirts on the field than Cardiff City shirts.
The Bluebirds slowly started to impose themselves as the half-time whistle neared, however they were unable to find the ball that would unlock the Millers’ back line with any significance or conviction.
Rotherham manager Paul Warne would have been slightly disappointed in the fact that his side entered the interval just the one goal ahead, as Cardiff’s first half perfectly resembled that of a team with nothing to play for.
Cardiff showed their intentions to make the afternoon more difficult for Rotherham as they started the second half brightly. The introduction of Mark Harris off of the bench for Ruben Colwill added a level of composure and urgency to the forward play from the hosts.
A break-away ball from Leandro Bacuna found Harry Wilson, who was able to cut the ball back to Kieffer Moore who made a late run at the edge of the box. His effort just sailed above the bar as he leaned back whilst striking the ball first time.
The Welsh duo of Wilson and Moore mustered up another opportunity as they broke away minutes later. The ball was played to Moore from Wilson arguably a few seconds too late, with the former’s shot being blocked by McDonald.
Perry Ng nearly opened his account for the Bluebirds on the hour mark. The ball entered his path at the edge of the box after a wayward ball in from substitute Josh Murphy. Ng’s subsequent left footed effort was deflected out for a corner kick which amounted to nothing.
Wing was left looking up to the heavens as he missed arguably the best chance of the game to double his side’s lead.
The Millers found themselves in a three-on-two attacking situation as Crooks charged forward with the ball. He cut back to Wing on the edge of the area who was required to strike the ball first time due to the pace at which he was surging forward.
Due to the treacherous conditions he slipped upon making contact with the ball as it dribbled well wide of the goal.
He continued to cause trouble for Dillon Phillips in the Cardiff City net as his curling effort came inches from nestling into the top corner in the 80th minute. Despite all the huffing and puffing, Rotherham could not seem to find the second goal at that stage.
The Bluebirds broke Rotherham United hearts in the 87th minute as Marlon Pack registered an equaliser. The long ball was poorly dealt with by Rotherham who let Marlon Pack hit it at the edge of the area. The former Bristol City midfielder placed the ball into the bottom corner with complete composure.
The result sealed Rotherham’s relegation as Derby County managed to salvage a point against Sheffield Wednesday, who were also relegated.
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