Despite being two goals down at half time, Rotherham United came from behind in the League One play off final to win promotion to the Championship. Revell and Collin proved to be the heroes for Rotherham; with the latter saving two penalties in the penalty shoot-out, after Revell’s two goals in the second half resulted in normal time finishing 2-2.

The opening exchanges were largely dominated by Rotherham United, who utilised the aerial threat of Ravel to great effect. This tactic almost proved diffidence for Rotherham just 3 minutes in, when they were, arguably, denied a clear penalty. With the ball looping toward Revell on the left of the penalty area, Leyton Orient captain, Clarke seemingly pushed the forward to the floor before clearing the ball out of the danger area. The referee however, waved play on.

Rotherham’s first clear chance came just moments later, when Revell, after a knock down from a Tavernier set piece fell to the number nine just six yards from Jones’ goal. However, the 30 year old forward’s subsequent volleyed effort on goal was smothered by the on rushing goalkeeper.

Leyton Orient, despite their adversaries’ dominance, did threaten on occasion. Top scorer, Dave Mooney’s volley from the left hand side of the penalty, although it harmlessly flew wide of the post, signalled a turn in the tide of the game.

On the half hour mark, the O’s took the lead through an exceptional Odubajo volley. The wide midfielder, after Rotherham failed to adequately clear the ball, saw his first time volleyed attempt fly into the middle of Collin’s goal. Despite the ball’s lack of trajectory, Collin was beaten by the sheer power of the strike.

Just three minutes later, Leyton Orient doubled their lead through Cox. After a quick break from a Rotherham corner, Odubajo collected a loose clearance from Arnason on the right of the penalty area, before playing the ball across goal, where Cox was on hand to tap the ball into the net. 

In stoppage time at the end of the first half, Pringle’s 30 yard effort almost cut the deficit for Rotherham. His snapshot, despite seemingly beating Jones, flew narrowly over the top of the goal.

Although Evans’ side were impressive for the majority of the first half, a three minute lapse in concentration proved fatal. The O’s were able to take advantage through the exceptional Odubajo, to go into the interval with seemingly insurmountable two goal advantage. 

Rotherham began the second half with similar enthusiasm to which they began the first. An early spell in the ascendency lead to costless kicks on either side of the penalty area. Both Tavernier and Pringle’s efforts on goal however, flew just over the crossbar.

The Millers finally got their much deserved goal on the 55th minute through the ever impressive Revell. After Tavernier curled a costless kick to the back post, O’s ‘keeper, Jones, attempted to assert his authority in his penalty area by punching the ball clear of danger. Despite getting to the ball, the Orient number one failed to get any real purchase on his punch, and the ball fell kindly to Revell who tapped the ball into the empty net.

Minutes later, Revell drew Rotherham United level with one of the greatest goals seen at the New Wembley. The former Leyton Orient forward volleyed the ball from fully 30 yards over the head of the hapless Jones, and into the top right corner of the net. 

The truly special goal from the number nine was no more than Rotherham deserved. Rotherham thrived on the rims of playoff defeat, and lay siege upon the Orient goal at the start of the second half. The O’s on the other hand, were incredibly lethargic and offensively toothless in this twenty minute period. 

Despite their regression throughout the second half, Leyton Orient almost retook the lead through former Cork City forward, Dave Mooney. The Dublin native however, was unable convert his header at the back post, after a sublime cross from the right flank.

In the last ten minutes, Agard could have given his side a late winner, but his subsequent header from a Tavernier cross went the wrong side of the post, and the game went into extra time. 

Neither side were visibly tiring in the first half of extra time, with Leyton Orient having the majority of possession and Rotherham still pressing with incredible intensity. Leyton Orient, despite the offensive qualities they showed in extra time, almost shot themselves defensively. After a long throw was flicked on at the near post by Revell, Baudry forced his own goalkeeper into an incredible reaction save with a wayward headed clearance. This proved to be the only notable effort on goal in extra time, and the game was set to be decided on penalties.

Agard and Lloyd James converted the first two penalties, before Frecklington saw his saved by Jones. Leyton Orient duely took their chance to take the lead in the shoot out through Lundstram, who coolly side footed the ball into the top right corner. 

After three scored penalties, Collin brought his side level by saving Baudry’s tame penalty directed to the bottom right corner. 

Collin proved to be the hero in the penalty shoot-out for Rotherham United, when he got down well to prevent Dangall.

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About the author
Jack  Gallagher
Member of the VAVEL writing team since June 2012, and became editor-in-chief of the UK edition in June 2013. English and History at QUB.