Wembley Stadium
Papa John's Trophy Final
Sunday 3rd April
Sutton 2
Rotherham 4
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| Rotherham celebrate their Wembley victory (Credit: Tim Goode/PA) |
It was the League Two side that started the brighter in their first visit to the new Wembley. Harry Beautyman won possession allowing David Ajiboye to drive forward. The 23-year-old slid the ball across to Will Randall in space who dummied an effort to shrug off Michael Ihiekwe but Randall dragged his effort just wide of the target.
However, it was to be the team in Amber and Chocolate that struck first after half an hour. A cross from Ajiboye was poorly dealt with by Michael Smith allowing Randall to pounce, laying the ball off to Donovan Wilson to fire home into the bottom corner.
Unfortunately for The U’s they couldn’t hold on, and with three minutes left of the half The Millers levelled the scores with a fantastic strike from Ben Wiles. Rotherham academy graduate Joshua Kayode laid the ball off to the 22-year-old who curled home a delightful, dipping strike that kissed the underside of the crossbar on its way in- ensuring the two sides would go in at half time tied at one apiece.
Similarly to the first period it was Sutton that started the half the brighter, and within three minutes of the referee's whistle Matt Gray’s side regained the lead. A quick Sutton break led to Ajiboye finding Craig Eastmond with a low cross. The one-time Arsenal midfielder saw his initial effort blocked before burying the rebound into the far corner with the outside of his foot. This strike was Eastmond’s second in the competition following his goal in a 1-0 quarter final victory over fellow League Two side Harrogate Town.
It looked like it was to finish a surprise 2-1 win for The U’s thanks to a resilient defensive performance but six minutes into injury time Arsenal loanee Jordi Osei-Tutu struck, forcing the game to extra time. A deflected Chiedozie Ogbene cross diverted the ball into the path of Osei-Tutu who took a touch before firing a fierce left-footed half volley into the far corner to level the scores at 2-2.
As extra time began Sutton legs began to tire, and the League One leaders took full advantage taking the lead for the first time six minutes into extra time, courtesy of a fine strike from Ogbene. Freddie Ladapo collected the ball setting it up for Ogbene who fired home a sweet strike from 20 yards out, giving Dean Bouzanis in the Sutton goal no chance.
Try as they might the League Two side failed to muster up a reply and eight minutes from time Ihiekwe rose highest to head home from a corner to give Rotherham a two goal cushion, and seal Papa John’s Trophy success for The Millers.
Victory for Rotherham stretches their fine run of form as they have now lost only two of their last 17 matches in all competitions; with promotion back to the Championship firmly on the horizon for Paul Warne’s men. However, for Sutton things are quite the opposite with only one win in their past six matches with the playoff chances becoming slimmer every league game.
Nathan Williams
Unlucky Sutton, well played
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