11. The Game

Moment of Truth

It’s crunch time for Oxford and Rotherham as they face each other in a critical League One match-up at the New York Stadium. Rotherham need a win to carry into the final two games and maintain their bid for automatic promotion – while, for Oxford, three points is an absolute must if they’re to continue in the race for the playoffs.

There’s a reunion of sorts as Karl Robinson and his former MK Dons assistant – now the Rotherham assistant manager – Richie Barker meet up again on the touchline ahead of the game, before the two teams kick-off and the pressure mounts in what turns out to be a very even game.

Issues in the crowd around the away bench become a focus for the authorities as abuse is hurled at the Oxford coaches, forcing Robinson to take it up with stadium authorities and the police as he threatens to have the game called off. After full-time, the two sets of coaching staffs meet in the Rotherham manager’s office for a debrief and a drink.