MX23RW : Friday, April 19 15:21:25| >> :600:632466:632466:
[monks data]
Ipswich logo
Championship
Apr 5, 2005 at 3pm UK
 
Rotherham logo

4-3

Magilton (60'), Westlake (6'), Bent (25', 57')
FT(HT: 2-1)
McIntosh (79'), Thorpe (26'), Butler (67')

On this day: Unpredictable Ipswich Town relegate Rotherham United

Ten years ago today, a 4-3 defeat away at high-flying Ipswich Town saw Rotherham United relegated from the Championship.

Those that watched Ipswich Town on a regular basis during their 2004-05 Championship campaign were royally entertained.

While the Tractor Boys could seemingly score at will - they found the net a division-high 85 times in 46 outings - they also had major problems keeping goals out at the other end of the pitch.

This was particularly true during their home clash with struggling Rotherham United at Portman Road 10 years ago today.

Early strikes from midfielder Ian Westlake and Darren Bent put the hosts 2-0 up, but, in the 26th minute Tony Thorpe, was afforded too much space inside the area and he duly reduced the arrears with a powerful effort that got the better of Kelvin Davis.

However, in the 57th minute, Bent restored Ipswich's two-goal advantage when he turned in Westlake's low cross. It was the striker's 18th goal of what was turning out to be a prolific campaign.

Visiting goalkeeper Mike Pollitt was beaten for a fourth time just two minutes later by a long-range Jim Magilton shot, which should have ended the game as a contest.

In true Ipswich fashion, though, they allowed the Millers back into proceedings as both Martin Butler and Martin McIntosh found the back of the net.

Despite the spirited fightback, a fourth and equalising goal eluded Alan Knill's men, who were relegated on the back of the result.

Speaking after the final whistle, Ipswich boss Joe Royle said: "At 4-1 I felt we had the chance to improve our goal difference but all credit to Rotherham for their fightback. If they had played like that all season they would not be going down.

"We were giving the ball away in areas we shouldn't have done. Several key players switched off, deciding that the game was won.

Meanwhile, Knill added: "Relegation is a great disappointment but I think this squad includes players more than capable of bouncing back next year.

"We proved that tonight. The effort and ability should enable us to cope adequately in the division below."

Ipswich: Davis; Wilnis, Naylor, De Vos, Unsworth; Miller (Richards), Magilton, Westlake, Currie (Horlock); Kuqi, Bent

Rotherham: Pollitt; Hurst, McIntosh, Swailes, Scott; Campbell-Ryce (Vernazza), Keane, McLaren (Barker), Mullin; Thorpe, Butler

ID:214017: cacheID:214017:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:4363:No Data Analysis info
Restore Data
Share this article now:
Arsenal Manager Arsene Wenger walks off at the end of the Barclays Pemier League match between Stoke City and Arsenal at the Britannia Stadium on March 1, 2014
Read Next:
OTD: Fabregas among Arsenal debutants
>
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Ipswich TownIpswich432611685533289
2Leicester CityLeicester422841079384188
3Leeds UnitedLeeds43269876344287
4Southampton42259884543084
5West Bromwich AlbionWest Brom4320121166422472
6Norwich CityNorwich432181476601671
7Hull City421811136254865
8Coventry CityCoventry4217121366521463
9Middlesbrough43189166156563
10Preston North EndPreston43189165660-463
11Cardiff CityCardiff43185204860-1259
12Bristol City431610175046458
13Sunderland43168195250256
14Swansea CitySwansea431411185362-953
15Watford431216155958152
16Millwall431311194255-1350
17Blackburn RoversBlackburn431310205771-1449
18Plymouth ArgylePlymouth431212195866-848
19Queens Park RangersQPR431211204057-1747
20Stoke CityStoke431211204160-1947
21Birmingham CityBirmingham43129224864-1645
22Huddersfield TownHuddersfield43917174770-2344
23Sheffield WednesdaySheff Weds43128233667-3144
RRotherham UnitedRotherham43411283285-5323


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!