PAUL CHUCKLE had the last laugh as Rotherham came from behind to win the Papa John’s Trophy. Chuckle, one-half of the comedy act, the Chuckle Brothers, delivered the trophy on a moped before kick-off in a toe-curling PR stunt. And the Millers’ fan was all smiles at full-time as the outcome of the pizza cup […]
PAUL CHUCKLE had the last laugh as Rotherham came from behind to win the Papa John’s Trophy.
Chuckle, one-half of the comedy act, the Chuckle Brothers, delivered the trophy on a moped before kick-off in a toe-curling PR stunt.
And the Millers’ fan was all smiles at full-time as the outcome of the pizza cup was decided by a huge SLICE of luck.
It came in the form of a 96th minute equaliser for the Championship-chasers after ref Seb Stockbridge had conjured up seven minutes of stoppage time.
Sutton looked to have done the unthinkable – winning at Wembley in their first season in the Football League in their 124 year history – until Jordi Osei-Tutu scored with an effort that deflected off U’s keeper Dean Bouzanis to make it 2-2.
It broke Sutton’s hearts as Matt Gray’s League Two side had out-played and out-muscled Rotherham, but in extra time they simply ran out of gas.
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Chiedozie Ogbene thundered in from 20 yards and Michael Ihiekwe wrapped things up when he headed home from a corner in the second-half of extra time.
Millers’ boss Paul Warne said he was already preparing his post-match media conference when Osei-Tutu brought them back from the death.
He said: “I was quite calm. I was working out how I would speak to the press after the defeat.
“I was going to shake Matt [Gray]’s hand. I did not think it was going to be our day.
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“In the first half we looked rusty and nervy and we did perform better in the second half. But in extra time, I felt we looked like we had healthier players on the pitch.
“Fair play to Sutton, they were better than us today, especially in the first half.”
Warne, who admitted he was expecting penalties rather than going to extra time, is now hoping his side now go on to secure promotion to the Championship.
He added: “I will be devastated to come back to Wembley this season. It would be amazing to win automatic promotion and hopefully the lads can take it from here.”
Sutton should have taken the lead on 13 minutes when Will Randall fired wide.
David Ajiboye had made a surging run from inside his own half and beat four Rotherham defenders before slotting the ball through to Randall.
He cut the ball back but somehow managed to put his effort wide of Viktor Johansson’s near-side post.
But Randall did go some way to making up for his shocking miss when he teed up Sutton’s 29th minute opener.
Ajiboye’s cross into the box was picked up by Michael Smith, but he was too casual and dispossessed by Randall, who set up Donovan Wilson.
He had time to control the ball with the sole of his boot before calmly firing it past Johansson.
Despite the gap in divisions, Sutton were looking comfortable as Rotherham’s fans started to get anxious.
But they were handed a way back into this final when Ben Wiles fired in three minutes before half time.
A long kick up field from Johansson was helped on its way by Smith and then Joshua Kayode before falling for Wiles.
He took a touch and curled it past Bouzanis from 20 yards in what was a fine finish.
After the break, Wiles came close to adding his second of the game but fired straight into Bouzanis’s arms as Sutton took full advantage.
Straight back down the other end and the impressive Ajiboye was again at the centre of things.
His ball into the box found Craig Eastmond, whose first effort was blocked.
But the former Arsenal man was quickest to react and toe-poked his second attempt past Johansson to restore Sutton’s lead.
Sutton were looking safe and enjoying themselves, right up until the SIXTH minute of stoppage time and just when the PA announcer was confirming Eastmond as Man of the Match.
A long punt up field saw the ball fall to Osei-Tutu, who curled in with a fine finish that took a touch off Bouzanis on its way into the back of the net.
Sutton were done and without Ben Goodliffe, who had limped off injured, they lacked the same composure at the back.
A good strike from Ogbene gave Rotherham the lead for the first time of the game in extra time while Ihiekwe wrapped up proceedings late on heading home from a corner.
U’s boss Gray added: “I am gutted because we were whiskers away from a great 90-minute performance and walking up steps as winners.
“Extra time was a step too far for us. We have played a lot of games and been hit by injuries and some of the players out there who had not played many minutes for us.
“It has been a great week and I could tell the players had the focus to get the job done, that’s why I am so gutted because we were so close.”
