2014 Millers Matches Advent Calendar - Number 9

It’s Millers Time is paying tribute to a fantastic 2014 for Rotherham with a footballing advent calendar.

In each day of December, leading up to Christmas Day, we will look back at a game from this year.

Behind window number nine is a comfortable and hoodoo-ending away win in League One.

Shrewsbury Town 0 Rotherham 3 (18/1/2014)

What better way to end a 15-year hoodoo at Shrewsbury than have the game won inside 21 minutes after a blitz?

The Millers had not had the best of times against the Shrews, at Gay Meadow or their new stadium, but were far too strong for their hosts and the early seeds of a superb run to the play-offs were being sown.

There are dream starts in an away game and then there is what Steve Evans' men did here.

They surged into a 10th-minute lead when loanee Tom Hitchcock scored his first goal for the club when he powered home a header from James Tavernier's cross.

Just eight minutes later it was 2-0 and this was a Ben Pringle special. He controlled an awkward ball 20 yards and and hooked the ball into the top corner for his sixth goal of the season.

It seemed as if the Millers could score with every attack and they made it three in the 21st minute with Tavernier further enhancing his status at Evans' ultimate loan signing.

The Newcastle right-back played a one-two with Hitchcock before finishing high into the net from close range.

If the visitors had put their foots on the hosts' throat then it could have been a cricket score, but Pringle hit the crossbar with a free-kick while Kieran Agard and Tom Hitchcock were denied.

The second half was a damp squib in comparison, but the damage had already been done, though Lee Frecklington missed the chance to make it four when he missed an open net after rounding the keeper.

Rotherham: Collin, Tavernier, Bradley, Addison, Arnason, Skarz, Agard, Frecklington, Milsom, Pringle (Turgott 88), Hitchcock (Thomas 66), Revell (Vuckic 82)

Attendance: 5,116 (650 Millers)

One to remember: James Tavernier's performance where he scored one and created one further showcased his talents.

One to forget: Lee Frecklington missed an open net as the Millers failed to add to their early goal haul.

To find out which game was behind window number 8, click here!