‘It’s an exciting time’ says Matt Hamshaw after Rotherham finish with a win

Posted Sunday, May 04, 2025 by PA

Rotherham manager Matt Hamshaw is preparing for a transformative summer after his side came from behind to see off Peterborough 2-1.

Hamshaw will lead the Millers next season following the dismissal of Steve Evans in March and his Sky Bet League One side finished the season with reason for optimism.

Goals from Sam Nombe and Cameron Humphreys secured the victory for the boyhood Miller.

He said: “Once we got stuck in and won our tackles and got tight to players, the fans got behind the team.

“All in all it’s nice that we go away with three points and the fans stayed for the lap of appreciation.

“It was not good enough defending (for the goal). We thought they would play inverted wingers and the first chance they had to come inside they scored. We reacted well.

“There are other areas we need to work on but the quick fixes have been set-pieces and it was nice to get a goal from one.

“It’s an exciting time moving forward, it might take time. I can’t say everything is going to go hunky-dory.

“The position in the league probably speaks volumes. It’s going to be another big summer.”

Peterborough were ahead within 30 seconds of the start as Abraham Odoh caught the Millers’ backline sleeping as he crept in from the left flank and bent a shot into the bottom corner nonchalantly.

Gustav Lindgren could have doubled the advantage but he was denied one-on-one by Dillon Phillips.

Rotherham came back into the game and got level thanks to Nombe, who was on hand to bundle the ball in after Louie Sibley’s shot had rattled the underside of the crossbar.

They had the better of the chances before and after the break and took advantage from a well-executed corner which saw Humphreys nod in from Joe Powell’s cross.

The home side came close to a third when Mallik Wilks’ header was kept out by Will Blackmore.

Tayo Edun could have snatched a late draw for the visitors but his curling effort from the edge of the box cannoned off the post.

Peterborough manager Darren Ferguson is calling on more from his team next season after they finished the season a disappointing 18th, just five points above the drop zone.

He said: “It was horrible after the first 35 seconds. We had a great start and thought could we go and carry that on?

“I think their first goal sums the season up. They had more desire.

“When we did get through in transitions there was a lot of space. We had one or two opportunities, but the two goals are really soft.

“We did not dominate the ball or create much. The basics we don’t get right.

“Just because we’re Peterborough we don’t have a divine right to be at the top of the league.

“For me, the biggest regret was not going up last season. That was our best chance.

“We know the players who are definitely leaving then I have to make decisions on the others. Pre-season is going to be very, very important because I need to see something different.

“We will have to box clever in recruitment again and some in the squad have got to step up otherwise it won’t change.”