Rotherham United secured a point but could be without a key figure for their midweek fixture against Cambridge United.
The Millers played out a 1-1 draw with Shrewsbury Town, a result that extends their unbeaten run but also leaves them sweating over injuries ahead of a crucial League One clash on Tuesday. Jonson Clarke-Harris scored a second-half penalty to cancel out George Lloyd’s early goal for the hosts, ensuring Steve Evans’ side left Montgomery Waters Meadow with a point.
Shrewsbury, struggling near the foot of the table, took the lead midway through the first half after a period of limited action. The breakthrough came after some neat build-up play from Leo Castledine, who switched the ball out wide to Charles Sagoe Junior. Sagoe Junior’s cross was expertly met by Mal Benning, whose delivery found Lloyd in space inside the six-yard box, and the forward made no mistake from close range.
The home side nearly doubled their lead moments later when Castledine unleashed a powerful strike from the edge of the box. His effort had Rotherham goalkeeper Viktor Johansson beaten, but the ball smashed off the crossbar, keeping the Millers within touching distance as the half drew to a close.
Rotherham gradually grew into the game in the second half, with their best chance coming just after the hour mark. Cohen Bramall raced down the left flank, delivering a pinpoint cross into the box, only for Clarke-Harris to head wide when it seemed easier to score. However, Clarke-Harris soon made amends when Rotherham were awarded a penalty following a high boot by Benning inside the box. The striker stepped up and coolly slotted the ball into the bottom right corner, securing a valuable point for his side.
After the game, boss Steve Evans discussed the team’s injury situation with the Rotherham Advertiser. Midfielder Hakeem Odoffin missed the game due to a hamstring injury, and Evans was cautious about his availability for Tuesday’s match. “I’m not so sure Haks will be right,” Evans said. “We’ll see if it settles down by Monday.”
Odoffin had been set to travel with the squad to Shrewsbury but was a late withdrawal after experiencing discomfort in training the day before. “The physio came into my office half an hour before we departed to say Haks was feeling his hamstring,” Evans explained. “He’s got a heart the size of Big Ben and wanted to play, but we can’t take risks with injured players.”
Evans also provided updates on other key players. Clarke-Harris, who started the match on the bench due to a calf complaint, and defender Sean Raggett, who failed a fitness test due to a knee issue, are both being monitored ahead of Tuesday’s fixture.
“Shaun was close,” Evans said of Raggett. “He’d had a scan and it showed just a bit of bone bruising. He said: ‘I want to play but I’m not quite right.’ We don’t take risks with our players.”
The Millers face another struggling outfit this week, Cambridge, who have only picked up a single point from their opening seven matches, having lost 2-0 to Lincoln City yesterday.
Our View
For Rotherham, the draw against Shrewsbury was a frustrating one. They had the chances to take all three points, but their first-half performance was below the standards Steve Evans would have wanted. The equaliser from Clarke-Harris salvaged something from the game, but the lack of sharpness up front, particularly in the first half, continues to be a concern. As Rotherham aim to push up the table, converting those half-chances into goals will be key.
On the injury front, Evans’ cautious approach is understandable. With crucial players like Clarke-Harris and Odoffin struggling with fitness issues, it’s essential the team manages these situations carefully to avoid longer-term absences. The upcoming match against Cambridge is a great chance for Rotherham to get back to winning ways, but much will depend on who is available to play and how well they can execute their game plan.
