WEST Ham United have come back to earn a 2-2 draw against
Rotherham United at Millmoor, having trailed the Millers 2-0 at
half-time.
A determined second-half fight back was rounded off by two
penalties, converted by Teddy Sheringham and Marlon Harewood, to
earn Alan Pardew's side a point.
Gavin Williams came in to make his full debut for the Hammers, with
Luke Chadwick dropping to the bench while Hayden Mullins was
recalled to start his first game since receiving a red card against
Brighton, injured Anton Ferdinand making way.
A bright start to the game saw Rotherham put the ball in the net
after only three minutes. Andy Monkhouse crossed for Junior to head
in at the far post, but referee Iain Williamson was quick to rule
the goal out for a foul on Malky Mackay.
Searching for their first ever win at Millmoor, West Ham went close
through Marlon Harewood before Lomas hit a stinging 25 yard drive
straight at Millers goalkeeper Mike Pollitt.
But, with just 11 minutes played, Alan Pardew's men fell
behind. Andy Monkhouse's ball over the top found Martin Butler,
who chested the ball down before planting a cool finish past
Stephen Bywater.
West Ham responded well to going behind, Marlon Harewood
especially. He fashioned a great chance to equalise on 25 minutes,
bringing Sheringham's knock-down under control and shooting on
the turn only to see his effort smothered by Pollitt.
The game was played in excellent spirit, both sides contributing to
the hectic pace that saw the ball seesaw between penalty areas.
Sadly for the Hammers, captain Steve Lomas was forced off injured
with just half an hour played, Luke Chadwick coming on to replace
the Northern Ireland midfielder and Gavin Williams moving in to
central midfield.
Chadwick was straight into the action terrorising Rotherham
left-back Paul Hurst before whipping in a cross that Martin
McIntosh did well to head clear.
Hammers best chance of the half came on 35 minutes. Matty
Etherington picked out Tomas Repka from a corner and his bulleted
header was magnificently tipped onto the post by Pollitt.
But the Hammers efforts to get back into the match were undone just
three minutes later when Rotherham made it 2-0. Monkhouse's
corner from the left sparked a goalmouth scramble, and after
Reo-Coker had cleared off the line the ball was flighted into the
Hammers area again for Millers captain McIntosh to head home.
Teddy Sheringham sent a 20 yard shot whistling over the Rotherham
crossbar late on but the Hammers left the pitch at half-time with a
lot of work to do.
HT: 0-2
Alan Pardew's men came out for the second-half in need of
some inspiration. But it was Rotherham who began the half better,
Campbell-Ryce shooting wide before Junior weaved his way past
Hammers defence and was brought down by Nigel Reo-Coker. The
England Under-21 midfielder received a booking and the resulting
free-kick was blocked by the West Ham wall.
But, with dogged determination, Alan Pardew's men did start to
force their way back into the game.
On 54 minutes Teddy Sheringham was foiled by another Pollitt save,
the Rotherham goalkeeper blocking Teddy's far post header
before Reo-Coker lifted his follow-up effort over.
Ten minutes later though, Pollitt suddenly became the villain of
the piece. Harewood latched onto Sheringham's precise
through-ball, shimmied to the right of Pollitt before being tripped
by the goalkeeper's desperate lunge at the ball.
Sheringham stepped up to take the spot-kick and planted it low to
Pollitt's left. Suddenly the Hammers had a lifeline, and they
were determined to take it.
So determined that they were level just five minutes later. This
time it was Sheringham darting into the hosts penalty area before
being brought down by Rotherham goalscorer McIntosh.
Once again referee Williamson pointed to the spot, but this time it
was Marlon Harewood who assumed responsibility for the penalty. The
25-year-old striker had to contend with a delay while the officials
contained a heated argument on the edge of the penalty area.
But Marlon kept his cool to fire the spot-kick high into the net,
giving Pollitt no chance. As the players gathered for the restart,
Sheringham led Alan Pardew's team in a rousing huddle.
Sheringham was replaced by Bobby Zamora soon after, but the
rejuvenated Hammers still swept forward in droves. Minutes after
scoring, Harewood sprung the Rotherham offside trap and was left
with just the goalkeeper to beat, but Pollitt came out to block
well with his legs.
Chadwick then went close to snatching all three points for the
Hammers, sprinting onto Etherington's pass and hooking in a
shot on the run that flashed across the Rotherham goal.
Despite laying siege to the Rotherham goal, West Ham couldn't
complete their magnificent comeback with a winner. But the Hammers
could be more than satisfied with their second-half's work,
coming back to earn their first ever League point at Millmoor.