Wanderers & their 2600 followers arrived at NYS this afternoon with a new manager & assistant & NINE deadline day signings as Mssrs Hill & Flitcroft quickly assembled a squad of experienced players to help out the young lads who have manfully struggled to play the club’s League One fixtures so far this season.

Hill gave six of his signings their club debuts this afternoon against a Millers team that had conceded in the 88th minute or later in each of their last three games in League & Cup. Injuries to strike duo Chris O’Grady & Darryl Murphy prevented Hill from making it a club record eight debuts.

Rotherham reverted back to 4-3-3 this afternoon as an injury to flying winger Ogbene suffered in their defeat at local rivals Doncaster last weekend prevented Paul Warne going for a 4-4-2 formation. The visitors lined up in a 4-1-4-1 with new skipper Liam Bridcutt as a holding midfielder with ex-Doncaster man Ali Crawford up front.

FIRST HALF

Roared on by their excellent travelling support Wanderers were almost in on goal in the first minute when following hesitancy in possession by Millers keeper Iversen, Crawford was inches away from intercepting his clearance but the Visitors were to take the lead in just the fourth minute.

A clever short corner routine saw a one two between Crawford & fellow debutant Thibaud Verlinden saw the latter find space in the area to crash his shot past Iversen to give Bolton the lead & their first goal of the season. The hosts were shaken by the early setback but started to take the game to their opponents. Their first chance of any note came on 9 minutes when striker Freddie Ladapo could only scuff a shot wide from close range after being set up by midfielder Ben Wiles. The young Millers midfielders luck was about to change on 18 minutes after a great run that saw him clear in the penalty area he placed the ball wide of Remi Matthews in the Trotters goal for the equalising goal. Almost immediately it was almost another goal for the hosts as midfielder Jake Hastie was only just too high with a rising drive after being set up by Matt Crooks. Wanderers were next to go close as Dennis Politic was allowed too much space by the Millers defence but his effort from distance was just over Iversen’s bar.

The Millers were getting on top midway through the half & their efforts were rewarded on 28 minutes. Ladapo had hit the bar when it looked easier to score a couple of minutes earlier but following a superb one two with fellow frontman Carlton Morris the ex-Argyle striker lashed the ball past Matthews to give the hosts the lead for the first time. Not to be deterred back came Bolton & goalscorer Verlinden got the better of Millers defender Ihiekwe & fired in a goalbound shot that produced a great save with his legs by Iversen which should have been at the expense of a corner yet Mr Stockbridge the Ref bizarrely pointed for a goal kick. The Millers were looking the stronger of the two sides & made it 3-1 in the 40th minute when Mattock’s throw into the box was cleverly flicked on by Ihiekwe for Morris to bury the header from ten yards.

HALF TIME

MILLERS 3 TROTTERS 1

The second period started slowly in comparison to the lively tempo to the first period until the host’s effectively sealed the points with a fourth goal on 53 minutes when a superb Jamie Lindsay cross was perfect for Ladapo to head his fourth goal of the season from close range.

The score became 5-1 just two minutes later when Mattock’s ball found Morris & his shot took a wicked deflection to beat Matthews. The hosts were running riot at this stage with Ladapo & Morris going close to their hat-tricks & the excellent Hastie coming close from distance once again but the goal he deserved finally arrived on 65 minutes. A ball into the area by Wiles was meant for Ladapo but the ball got stuck under his feet but Trotters defender Jack Hobbs attempted clearance fell perfectly for Hastie who gleefully sidefooted home for the Millers. The game was effectively over as a contest with Millers boss Warne taking players off with the midweek trip to Sunderland in mind but both Ladapo (twice), Mattock & sub Michael Smith could & probably should have added to the score before the final whistle against a visibly dispirited Bolton side.

FULL TIME

MILLERS 6 TROTTERS 1

The hosts really needed this result & performance to halt a worrying recent record where performances haven’t been good.

Bolton will need every one of their magnificent supporters in the coming months if the new team in both playing & management are to see the green shoots of recovery for this famous Football Club but the upside is that those same supporters have a club to support, some fans haven’t got that luxury.

words Ian Bradley, D3D4 Rotherham United correspondent