In the final analysis this was a thoroughly deserved victory for the Bees. The two goal differential accurately reflected the balance of play and the strikes by Adam Birchall and Jason Puncheon from the spot were sufficient to impose the first away defeat of the season on the Millers.
However it was the visitors who began the brighter, but in truth they rarely carved out an opportunity that threatened Lee Harrison's goal. There were a few spells when the Bees were under pressure in the first half, caused mainly by giving the ball way, rather than by any invention by Rotherham.
The victory was made possible by a convincing second half performance. Down the slope the Bees advanced with substitute Ashley Carew providing width on the right and Jason Puncheon on the left both looking capable of beating their man, almost at will.
The two centre backs, Sagi Burton and skipper Ismail Yakubu, were very sound. In rare Millers attacks the Bees defenders made light of their work, keeping a tight reign on the experienced Bruce Dyer and later the lively Marc Newsham.
Neal Bishop again patrolled the midfield, despite a bruising clash with the rugged Ryan Creswell that fully warranted a caution. The young lion alongside him, Josh Wright, is improving almost before your very eyes. At just 17 he is looking a tremendous prospect.
The loss of left back Kenny Gillet was softened somewhat by a whole hearted display, full of grit, determination and guile by his replacement Nicky Nicolau. If he was targeted by Rotherham as a weak link in the air, it was to prove a poor choice of tactic since Nicolau rose to the challenge and gave a sterling display of the defenders art.
Early in the second half a trademark Bees move down the right hand side had seen Puncheon hit a post when the gaping goal was at his mercy. This chance had been created by Bishop, who had confused the visitors defence and it was the ex-York City midfielder whose deft through ball set-up Adam Birchall for his first of the season. Birchall slotting the ball under the advancing Andy Warrington, a just reward for some tireless running.
Liam Hatch was added to the fray with a third of the match remaining, replacing Jason Norville. His heading ability was soon in evidence at both ends of the pitch.
The second Bees goal came about when Birchall shrewdly shielded the ball from Rotherham's Liam King, and before the Bees striker could get in a shot he was tumbled to the ground with Referee Graham Norwood pointing to the spot. Millers boss Mark Robins thought it a disappointing decision, but disappointment was not on any Bees fans agenda when Puncheon swept the ball up into the top corner of the net. A flamboyant penalty.
With this result the Bees have moved up into the top half of the table, in to 9th to be precise. The team are gelling well and will face the challenge of Wycombe Wanderers on Tuesday of next week. The Chair Boys have Scott McGleish in fine goalscoring form at the moment and with both sides displaying under their respective managers a desire to play a passing game, it has the makings of a cracking match.
Attendance: 2,088 (331)
David Bloomfield
