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Preston 3-0 Rotherham: Emil Riis scores twice as play-off chasers thump relegation-bound Millers

Last updated on .From the section Championshipcomments93

Preston striker Emil Riis
Preston striker Emil Riis has scored six goals in his past eight appearances

Preston North End boosted their play-off hopes with a thumping win over dismal bottom side Rotherham United, who slipped closer to relegation.

The home side took the lead when Duane Holmes converted Robbie Brady's drilled low cross from six yards out and Emil Riis scored twice before the break to end the game as a contest.

The Dane hit a crisp effort across the goalkeeper for his first before lashing the ball in from close range after the away side failed to clear their lines.

Hakeem Odoffin came close to a consolation for the visitors in the second half, but Preston cruised over the line with a fourth clean sheet in their past five matches.

This was a 25th defeat in 39 Championship games for the Millers, who are without a win since 26 December and have not scored since 24 February.

They will be relegated to League One on Monday if they do not beat Millwall, although results elsewhere could mean even a victory is not enough to keep their survival hopes alive for a few more days.

Preston made easy work of Leam Richardson's men to remain five points behind sixth-placed Norwich, although they do have a game in hand on the Canaries.

Holmes scored his first goal since November to get them off and running before in-form Riis showed he is close to his clinical best.

The former Denmark Under-21 international was ruled out for almost the whole of 2023 with an ACL injury but has now scored six goals in eight games after his first double since October 2022.

He slammed home his first from just inside the area from compatriot Mads Frokjaer's pass and then hammered in a loose ball five minutes later after the away side were opened up down their left.

Ryan Lowe's side will now look to secure a third straight win when they travel to struggling Birmingham City on Monday.

Preston manager Ryan Lowe:

"A clean sheet and three points, nobody can ask for anything more than that I don't think. Overall I thought the performance was fantastic.

"At this time it's just about winning games of football, and we did that comfortably. It could have been a potential banana skin but, to be fair to the group, it definitely didn't turn out like that.

"We were on the front foot pretty much throughout the game, we produced some good passages of play and we scored some good goals.

"I'm pleased with the result and the performance. It's all about staying positive, given the position we're in."

Rotherham boss Leam Richardson:

"We know what moment we're in here, and this club is massively in transition, I think we can all see that.

"I feel for all of our fans right now. We've all got to represent ourselves and this club much better than we have been doing.

"It's about me trying to get some confidence into the players and trying my best to give the team some kind of identity. Maybe then we can get better results.

"We certainly don't want to be going out of this division with a whimper. I want everyone to stick together and show a bit more belief and confidence in these final few remaining games of the season."

Line-ups

Preston

Formation 3-4-1-2

  • 1Woodman
  • 14StoreySubstituted forWhatmoughat 61'minutes
  • 6LindsayBooked at 74mins
  • 16HughesBooked at 68mins
  • 25HolmesSubstituted forSearyat 85'minutes
  • 8Browne
  • 13McCannSubstituted forMaweneat 77'minutes
  • 11BradySubstituted forBestat 61'minutes
  • 10Frökjaer-Jensen
  • 7KeaneSubstituted forStewartat 77'minutes
  • 19Riis

Substitutes

  • 3Cunningham
  • 17Stewart
  • 20Woodburn
  • 21Cornell
  • 26Whatmough
  • 28Osmajic
  • 33Best
  • 35Mawene
  • 36Seary

Rotherham

Formation 4-4-1-1

  • 1Johansson
  • 21PeltierSubstituted forFergusonat 79'minutes
  • 22Odoffin
  • 24Humphreys
  • 28RevanSubstituted forSerikiat 86'minutes
  • 29Nombe
  • 16LindsayBooked at 90mins
  • 8Clucas
  • 7Ribeiro DiasSubstituted forBramallat 45'minutes
  • 18RathboneBooked at 44minsSubstituted forRinomhotaat 69'minutes
  • 14WykeSubstituted forEavesat 69'minutes

Substitutes

  • 3Bramall
  • 9Eaves
  • 12Rinomhota
  • 17Ferguson
  • 26Phillips
  • 30Appiah
  • 38Seriki
  • 42Hatton
Referee:
Stephen Martin
Attendance:
15,470

Match Stats

Home TeamPrestonAway TeamRotherham
Possession
Home62%
Away38%
Shots
Home18
Away7
Shots on Target
Home5
Away3
Corners
Home2
Away2
Fouls
Home13
Away13

Live Text

  1. Post update

    Match ends, Preston North End 3, Rotherham United 0.

  2. Full Time

    Second Half ends, Preston North End 3, Rotherham United 0.

  3. Booking

    Jamie Lindsay (Rotherham United) is shown the yellow card.

  4. Post update

    Mads Frökjaer-Jensen (Preston North End) wins a free kick in the defensive half.

  5. Post update

    Foul by Andy Rinomhota (Rotherham United).

  6. Post update

    Attempt missed. Femi Seriki (Rotherham United) with an attempt from the centre of the box misses to the right. Assisted by Shane Ferguson with a cross.

  7. Post update

    Attempt blocked. Layton Stewart (Preston North End) left footed shot from the centre of the box is blocked.

  8. Post update

    Offside, Rotherham United. Sam Nombe is caught offside.

  9. Substitution

    Substitution, Rotherham United. Femi Seriki replaces Sebastian Revan.

  10. Substitution

    Substitution, Preston North End. Josh Seary replaces Duane Holmes.

  11. Post update

    Foul by Noah Mawene (Preston North End).

  12. Post update

    Sebastian Revan (Rotherham United) wins a free kick on the right wing.

  13. Post update

    Attempt saved. Alan Browne (Preston North End) right footed shot from more than 35 yards is saved in the centre of the goal. Assisted by Noah Mawene.

  14. Post update

    Foul by Mads Frökjaer-Jensen (Preston North End).

  15. Post update

    Jamie Lindsay (Rotherham United) wins a free kick in the defensive half.

  16. Post update

    Noah Mawene (Preston North End) wins a free kick in the defensive half.

  17. Post update

    Foul by Hakeem Odoffin (Rotherham United).

  18. Post update

    Foul by Layton Stewart (Preston North End).

  19. Post update

    Cameron Humphreys (Rotherham United) wins a free kick in the defensive half.

  20. Substitution

    Substitution, Rotherham United. Shane Ferguson replaces Lee Peltier.

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93 comments

  • Comment posted by pnepnepne, at 18:57 29 Mar

    Sort of felt sorry for the Rotheram fans who came and supported there team today . That was the worst side I have seen in a long time and they didn't even put in a basic amount of effort .

    • Reply posted by Cheshire Mad Hatter, at 07:52 30 Mar

      Cheshire Mad Hatter replied:
      *their.

  • Comment posted by Roy, at 20:20 29 Mar

    When Ryan Lowe looks back at this season, I wouldn't be surprised to see he had regrets about the number of games when he played 'safety first' tactics with just the one lone striker, similarly the times where North End dropped back when a goal in front thereby inviting pressure from the opposition to which they often succumbed losing valuable points.

  • Comment posted by User0921224906, at 17:13 29 Mar

    North End, still with a shot to make the playoff and also thanks for finally putting Rotherham United out of their misery. Another poor performance from the Millers.

  • Comment posted by workingman, at 17:28 29 Mar

    Nice to see Ryan giving young lads first team experience. Missed Emil this year but also he is back

  • Comment posted by beatles63, at 17:11 29 Mar

    Still possible for North End to make the play offs but unfortunately history tells us they will not !

  • Comment posted by Damian Baron, at 19:17 29 Mar

    Good 3 points. PNE may fall a bit short this season after the drastic mid-season lack of form. The manager seems to have found his best team/formation now. And, Riis is back ! Next season bodes well.

  • Comment posted by Hansen, at 17:31 29 Mar

    Can anyone remind me why the Chairman sacked a manager , was it to look for an improvement in performances or just to take the Michael

    • Reply posted by TBMiller, at 17:35 29 Mar

      TBMiller replied:
      Probably should have given him to the end of this season to try to prove his worth, but ours is not to reason why, ours is just to accept the usual result outcome and lack of entertainment or anything to cheer !!

  • Comment posted by Harrysdad, at 17:50 29 Mar

    Good 1st half and entertaining from Preston but going through the motions in second. Good to see some youngsters get a run out. Rotherham look a team shot of confidence and almost certainly down in my opinion though.

    • Reply posted by TBMiller, at 17:54 29 Mar

      TBMiller replied:
      Weve been down since the start of the season, Preston might just lack that bit of extra quality to get into the play offs but hope you do

  • Comment posted by gwinders, at 19:01 29 Mar

    We are going up say.... well as long as Norwich can lose a few games first. Reasonable form and two strikers currently scoring goals, sometimes that's all you need. To win 3 nil without Millar and give some lads a rest before Monday is great.

  • Comment posted by TBMiller, at 17:19 29 Mar

    The usual capitulation with no goals but hey ho Millers , we are (since the AW cup win in 90's) the most successful Yorkshire team . Numerous promotions, cup wins, many wembley visits, great stadium (unlike at S6). Lets look forward to a new line up next term in L1 who can play LR's way. 3 wins to date with the poorest squad ever, weve done well !! Wave to PW at DCFC we change places 👋 UTM

    • Reply posted by JimmyB, at 17:28 29 Mar

      JimmyB replied:
      What Mickey mouse cups you won then, you have NEVER won a major trophy or played in the top flight, the nearest you got was under emlyn Hughes many eons ago before you got nose bleeds and fell away

  • Comment posted by Smithsonian, at 17:47 29 Mar

    Game over at half time can only beat what's in front of you...roll on Birmingham away on Monday...!
    Good win let's keep rolling on up the table....!

  • Comment posted by jean shaw, at 17:20 29 Mar

    A pity Preston had a bad patch in mid season otherwise they could be in the playoffs but, sadly , highly doubtful given their goal difference is so poor

  • Comment posted by axholmemiller, at 22:24 29 Mar

    It’s not so much that we are relegated, it’s the manner of the relegation. Pathetic doesn’t cover it. These players should be totally ashamed of themselves. Get rid of the lot of them and let’s start afresh. As for this manager, we’ve got worse since his appointment.

    • Reply posted by Boxinghagler1980, at 08:59 30 Mar

      Boxinghagler1980 replied:
      Agree ,the players and the manager are an embarrassment, totally spineless useless garbage.

  • Comment posted by Hansen, at 18:47 29 Mar

    Round of quiet applause for the Millers players getting their 50 .
    That’s a goal difference of -50 !

    • Reply posted by TBMiller, at 18:56 29 Mar

      TBMiller replied:
      And a season end total of 20 points and - 70 goal difference, no away wins and just 3 home wins .....awful stuff

  • Comment posted by Mike, at 21:09 29 Mar

    Sorry Damian were you going to say something, how did Blackpoo do today?

  • Comment posted by keith, at 20:49 29 Mar

    Sums up why we’ll never get anywhere with Lowe. Rotherham are the worst Championship team in years, but we sat back in 2nd half and played like a training game when they were there for a 5 or 6-0 thrashing. He said pre game that he hasn’t looked at goal diff. Here was a chance to finally get us in a +goal diff but he bottled it. Seems odd to complain after a 3-0 win, but my God it was dull.

    • Reply posted by Jon, at 21:49 29 Mar

      Jon replied:
      An alternative view for you. The goal difference between the teams above is so bad that it is irrelevant. The 3 points were critical. The balance between getting young players experience and giving senior players a “rest” is a matter of judgement. I think Lowe is a bit too negative but it was good to see 3 youth players get game time and Stewart on. All 4 looked good.

  • Comment posted by justoffside, at 17:17 29 Mar

    Rotherham aren’t going to get a single away win all season are they. Beyond inept.

  • Comment posted by Deepdale White, at 08:25 30 Mar

    Workmanlike performance by PNE today, good three goals then saw the game out from there doing the minimum and saving legs for a key game on Monday. I wish we would start more brightly & go for the throat of teams lacking confidence rather than letting them get into it but didn’t matter today. Ali G & the millers fans class in supporting such a struggling side so well. Hope u bounce back UTWđŸ’ȘđŸ»

  • Comment posted by Gripper Burke, at 17:33 29 Mar

    Eggscellent result!!

  • Comment posted by TomFinneysmagicunderpants, at 09:11 30 Mar

    Incorporated into our final 8 games are matches against Norwich,Southampton and Leicester....win those and there is every chance we could sneak a play off spot! If not we can look back on another good season under RL (I've been a critic at times and I will happily eat my words) onwards and upwards for the mighty Preston North End! COYW's

As It Stood

TeamPWDLFAGDPts
1Ipswich39259581493284
2Leeds39258672304283
3Leicester38264874344082
4Southampton37228774482674
5West Brom3919101060372367
6Norwich391971371551664
7Coventry3816121062441860
8Preston38178135254-259
9Hull381610125348558
10Middlesbrough39167165453155
11Cardiff39165184353-1053
12Sunderland39156185045551
13Bristol City39148174345-250
14Watford391213145553249
15Swansea391211164959-1047
16Millwall391111173751-1444
17Stoke39128193753-1644
18QPR391110183851-1343
19Blackburn39119195165-1442
20Plymouth391011185564-941
21Birmingham39109204361-1839
22Huddersfield39815164364-2139
23Sheff Wed39116223162-3139
24Rotherham39311253080-5020
View full Championship table

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