Rotherham United vs Queens Park Rangers. Sky Bet Championship.
New York Stadium.
Report and highlights from the Sky Bet Championship clash between Rotherham and QPR at the New York Stadium as Freddie Ladapo scores twice and Michael Smith nets third in Millers comeback to boost their survival aims.
Tuesday 13 April 2021 22:26, UK
Two goals in three minutes from Freddie Ladapo helped fire Rotherham to a valuable 3-1 comeback win over QPR.
The game was the start of a manic period of four home matches in eight days as Rotherham bid to claw themselves out of the relegation zone.
Ladapo ensured it got off to the perfect start with two goals in quick succession to turn the game on its head after Lyndon Dykes' opener.
Michael Smith then wrapped up victory in the final minute.
A raft of Covid-19 infections and bad weather have left the Millers playing catch-up on the rest of their relegation rivals.
But hopes of survival increased with this victory which sees Rotherham now just three points behind Coventry, who they face on Thursday evening as part of their games in hand.
Both managers made use of their squads for different reasons on Tuesday, with home boss Paul Warne keen to keep his as fresh as possible ahead of what appears to be a critical showdown with Coventry.
QPR boss Mark Warburton, with his side sitting comfortably in mid-table, made three changes, with Charlie Kelman in for a first start.
Another of the changes, George Thomas, seemed keen to take his opportunity and fired just wide after being found by Stefan Johansen.
Matt Crooks was supporting Ladapo up front and he carved out a great opportunity for himself. After being found by Dan Barlaser, he dribbled down the left side of the box before firing across goal.
Kelman then made Viktor Johansson pull off a diving stop with a stinging effort from 30 yards out.
QPR went ahead in the 52nd minute. Osman Kakay brushed off the challenge of Ladapo easily and found the in-form Dykes in the box.
The Scotland international took a touch before smashing emphatically into the roof of the net for his fourth in three games.
Defender Clark Robertson was joining the attacks for Rotherham and he fired just over with a powerful strike from the edge of the box.
The leveller came in the 64th minute, with Ladapo controlling a ball from Lewis Wing and stroking past Seny Dieng clinically.
Ladapo was celebrating again in the 66th minute as he beat the offside trap from Wes Harding's through-ball and calmly slid the ball past Dieng one-on-one.
Sniffing a hat-trick, Ladapo was denied from close range with Dieng able to catch his effort, which had looked bound for the top corner.
It was Smith who rounded off the victory in the 90th minute. The striker was slipped in by Jamie Lindsay and raced through on goal before lifting the ball over Dieng to seal the three points.
Rotherham's Paul Warne: "It's been a good night. For us to win it gives us a real impetus going into Thursday. To win that game with three more home games to come, is a good start and it gives us a good chance of survival. I think impetus and psychology is a massive thing. It gives the lads a right boost.
"It was a real spirited performance that got us the three points. The subs had a real impact. They were two great finishes from Freddie and Smith's was the icing on top. One-on-ones are not easy to take because you get demons in your head."
QPR's Mark Warburton: "At half-time we were thinking if we get the first goal, it will force Rotherham to come out and we can exploit the openings at the back. We get the first goal and then, very simply, we did not deserve to win the
last half hour. Sometimes you have to roll your sleeves up and do the dirty side of the game.
"I am very respectful of Rotherham. They are very good at what they do. We knew it was coming and we had to deal with it better than we did. We are angry and frustrated right now but you have got to take the lessons from that. We have been on a tremendous run and deserve enormous credit but you have got to keep on learning and getting better."
