Preview: Rotherham United

21 January 2022

It's another exciting challenge for Cheltenham Town on Saturday with an away trip to one of League One's leading sides in Rotherham United (kick-off: 3pm).

With even more new bodies in the building this week, the Robins head up to South Yorkshire looking to record what would be an impressive result if they can take something from the game at the AESSEAL New York Stadium.

Last time out Charlton Athletic denied the Robins with a last gasp equaliser in a 1-1 draw at the Jonny-Rocks Stadium, but having recorded three consecutive draws, Michael Duff's men will be aiming to step up on that and secure a first victory of 2022.

Tickets are available to buy on the day from the away ticket office at the stadium.

Team news

New signings Kion Etete and Charlie Colkett could be involved having arrived at the club this week.

And even more January arrivals: Reece Hutchinson, Aaron Ramsey and Ben Williams, will be hoping to get their first minutes.

Ellis Chapman (pictured) and George Lloyd both miss out due to injury.

Media talk

Michael Duff has been keen to highlight Rotherham's quality ahead of the trip.

"I don't think they've lost at home since the 10th or 11th of September," he said when speaking to the media.

"We know what's ahead - they do every part of the game well. They're fit, they're organised, they're physical, they can play - so there's a reason why they're top of the league.

"They were in the Championship last year and you can see why they were in the Championship last year.

"If you think you're going to get two or three touches think again because you're going to get pressed. We just need to be better than what we have done when we've gone up against better teams in the first half of the season."

You can watch the full press conference with Duff on iFollow.

Opposition

With their midweek fixture against Lincoln City postponed because of a frozen pitch, Rotherham enter into Saturday's contest in the play-off places, narrowly off the automatic top two, after a surprise away defeat at Fleetwood Town last time out.

Prior to that their league form had been exceptional taking 12 points from a possible 15, so they'll be looking to get back to winning ways on home turf this weekend.

In Michael Smith they have one of the third tier's in-form strike men. In all competitions he's netted 18 times this campaign, while his fellow attackers include Josh Kayode, Northern Ireland international Will Grigg and the well-travelled Freddie Ladapo.

Captain Richard Wood, youth product Ben Wiles and 50-time capped Northern Ireland midfielder Shane Ferguson offer good experience in a squad that for many of its members has played above League One level.

The manager: Paul Warne

Having twice earned Rotherham promotion to the Championship as manager, it's of little surprise that Paul Warne has got the Millers in a good position to do so again.

He first took caretaker charge in November 2016 and went onto become the permanent boss. Since then it's been a rollercoaster few years of promotions to the second tier and then relegations back into League One in what is his only managerial position to date.

His playing career was mainly spent at Rotherham too in two different spells, while he also turned out for Oldham Athletic, Yeovil Town, Mansfield Town and Wigan Athletic in the Football League having started his career in non-league football in Norfolk with the likes of Great Yarmouth Town, Diss and Wroxham.

Tickets & travel

Tickets have now gone off sale through the club's ticket office but will be available to buy at Rotherham on the day.

Supporters who have purchased through Cheltenham but not collected their tickets will be able to pick them up from the AESSEAL New York Stadium on matchday from the away ticket office.

Fans booked onto the Travel Club coach are reminded that it leaves from the Jonny-Rocks Stadium at 10am.

Coverage

Social media: Follow @CTFCofficial on Twitter for updates. Score updates will also be available on the club's Facebook page and Instagram account.

Radio: Buy an audio match pass to listen to full match commentary on iFollow. It's also available on BBC Radio Gloucestershire for those in the county.

Website: Post-match you can read a match report and see reaction to the result with interviews on iFollow.

Highlights: Extended highlights will be available on iFollow with shorter highlights on YouTube, Sky Sports and Quest.

Match Reports

Report & highlights: Rotherham United 1-0 Robins

22 January 2022

Subscribe to watch

Rotherham United v Cheltenham Town - Extended highlights - Sat 22nd January 2022

Extended highlights of Rotherham United v Cheltenham Town, Sat 22nd January 2022 in the Sky Bet League One

A first half Michael Smith goal saw Cheltenham Town fall to defeat at promotion chasing Rotherham United.

The 6'4'' striker bagged his 19th strike of the season for the Millers to deny Cheltenham the opportunity of any points in south Yorkshire.

Rotherham dominated the first half at the AESSEAL New York Stadium, and despite an improved performance after the break from Michael Duff's men, it was the hosts who continued their march back to the Championship.

Within four minutes of the start Cheltenham were forced into a change at the back when Sean Long was substituted due to injury, and as the game settled Rotherham took control.

Ben Wiles spurned a couple of speculative chances while Ollie Rathbone's shot from a central area was saved by Owen Evans.

The Millers eventually found a way through when a long ball over the top allowed Smith in behind to finish low into the corner.

There had been little attacking opportunities at the other end of the pitch, though before half time Alfie May did force an opening but he couldn't hit the target.

Injuries and substitutions disrupted the flow of the second period, and it wasn't really until the midpoint of the half that the first chance arrived, with Freddie Ladapo smashing over for the hosts.

The home supporters thought they did have a second minutes later when Smith headed in, however it was ruled out after he strayed into an offside position.

Cheltenham again struggled to create real openings. Charlie Raglan's shot heading into the final quarter of an hour did little to threaten the Millers goal, while Callum Wright's shot was saved by Josh Vickers.

Wiles headed just over for Rotherham before the 90 minute mark, while Wright tried his luck with a long-distance shot that was comfortably stopped as Rotherham held on to all the points.

ROTHERHAM: J Vickers, W Harding, D Barlaser, R Wood, B Wiles, F Ladapo (W Grigg 89), C Ogbene, M Miller (S Ferguson 75), O Rathbone (J Lindsay 82), M Ihiekwe, M Smith

Subs not used: V Johansson, J Kayode, H Odoffin, R Edmonds-Green

ROBINS: O Evans, S Long (C Raglan 4), M Pollock, W Boyle, M Blair, L Freestone, C Thomas, C Wright, L Sercombe, D Nlundulu (K Etete 70), A May (A Ramsey 62)

Subs not used: S Flinders, C Brown, E Bonds, B Williams

ATTENDANCE: 9,187 (273 Robins)

REFEREE: O Langford

Ticket News

Tickets & travel: AFC Wimbledon

24 January 2022

Supporters can purchase tickets and away travel for the upcoming fixture at AFC Wimbledon on Tuesday 1 February.

Cheltenham head to the Cherry Red Records Stadium for their next League One away fixture.

It's the second time the club has visited Wimbledon's new home having travelled there in the FA Cup second round earlier this season.

Prices for the match are as follows:

Adult £22
Senior (65+) £15
Full-Time Student £15
18-21 £11
17 & Under £6
11 & Under £5

The Travel Club coach heading to the game leaves from the Jonny-Rocks Stadium at 3.15pm.

The price of a seat on the coach is as follows:

Non-Members £16/£14
Members £14/£12
Junior Robins £6

Tickets and away travel for the game are available to buy online or from the ticket office.

Supporters who buy through the Cheltenham ticket office will ensure 5% of income goes back to the Robins from ticket sales.

If you are buying through Cheltenham and don't pick up your tickets before the trip they will be available to collect on the night at the Cherry Red Records Stadium.