Agard scored his third goal in three games, after captain
Johnny Mullins nodded down for the Millers’ frontman to poke home from close
range.
Steve Evans stuck with the same starting eleven that had
seen off Bradford City on Tuesday night, as the only changes came in the form
of Daniel Nardiello and David Noble returning to the bench.
A familiar face featured in the Argyle starting line-up, as
Reuben Reid came up against his former employers and the ex-Millers forward was
immediately thrown into the fold when he was caught just offside after a minute’s
play.
Plymouth’s attacking intent was clear to see in the early
minutes, as Onismor Bhasera took on a mazy run before firing a dangerous ball
across the box. The danger, however, was cleared by Claude Davis who ensured
that a chance wouldn’t follow for the awaiting Reid.
The Millers’ first chance came in the ninth minute when ex-Pilgrim
Kari Arnason took on a shot from distance that sailed harmlessly over the
crossbar, much to the delight of the Home Park faithful.
The first yellow card of the game came the Millers’ way,
when Alex Revell made a late aerial challenge on Paul Wotton that saw him pick
up only his second caution of the season. Andres Gurrieri then had the Pilgrims’
first chance of the game, however, his shot from just outside the area flew
over the bar.
Two more yellow cards soon followed for the Millers as
Kieran Agard and Kari Arnason both found themselves in the book for poor
challenges on Gurrieri and Bhasera with Rotherham struggling to get a grip on a
scrappy game.
The hosts then came close to taking the lead in the 25th
minute when Paris Cowan-Hall’s chip evaded the Millers’ defence before the
on-rushing Scott Shearer beat Gurrieri to the ball to ensure that the score
stayed at 0-0.
The tide, however, began to swing Rotherham’s way and after
Kieran Agard had earnt the Millers a free-kick 25 yards from goal, Michael O’Connor
saw his swirling effort stunningly saved.
Lee Frecklington then had Rotherham’s best chance of the
half in the 44th minute, when he flicked on Ben Pringle’s cross only
to see a another astounding save from the Pilgrims’ number one, Jake Cole.
Half-time: Plymouth Argyle 0-0 Rotherham United
The Millers began the second-half, much as they had ended
the first and came close to opening the scoring from a Kari Arnason throw-in. The
Icelandic midfielder’s long throw was met by the head of Alex Revell who played
a quick one-two with Kieran Agard, before seeing his effort fly just past the
post.
Kieran Agard then had a chance of his own just minutes
later, when he headed Ben Pringle’s cross wide from only 10-yards out. His
golden chance would come later in the game.
The hosts, however, started to pull themselves back into the
game and ex-Miller Reuben Reid saw his headed opportunity fly just past the
post in the 54th minute.
The forward was involved again just minutes later after Bhasera
raced down the flanks before whipping in a cross that was cleverly dummied by Gurrieri.
The ball then fell to Reid, however, with the goal gaping, he fired over from
just over 12-yards out; another golden opportunity gone.
This would prove costly for the hosts, and in the 75th
minute the deadline was broken. A deep Joe Skarz free-kick was nodded into the
path of Agard by Johnny Mullins, and the Millers’ forward tapped home from
close range to send the travelling support wild. Not for the first time this
season, a single Kieran Agard goal would prove enough to separate the sides.
The hosts fought back valiantly though and a number of
chances followed after the opening goal.
The first chance for Argyle came after a neat touch from Ronan
Murray set up Conor Hourihane. The centre-back, however, could not supply a
finish and his effort went past the post after a sliced shot.
Hourihane then had his second chance in a matter of minutes
when the ball fell to him in a similar position to the first oppurtunity. His
shot had power this time around, however, the ball flew harmlessly over the
crossbar.
The Pilgrims continued to bombard the Millers’ 18-yard box
and chance after chance fell to the players in green and white. Max Blanchard had
the most notable opportunity, however, his shot failed to challenge Scott
Shearer and the Millers held on for an invaluable three points.
Full-time: Plymouth Argyle 0-1 Rotherham United
Rotherham: Shearer, Mullins, Davis, Morgan, Skarz, Agard,
O’Connor, Arnason, Frecklington, (Ridehalgh 87), Pringle, Revell (Odejayi 90)
Unused: Warrington, Tonge, Ainsworth, Nardiello, Noble
Plymouth: Cole, Blanchard, Branston, Hourihane, Cowane-Hall
(Murray 51), Bhasera, Wotton, Nelson, (Chadwick 79), Bryan, Reid, (Harvey 81)
Gurrieri
Unused: Gilmartin, Berry, Young, Charles
Attendance: 10,648
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