Match report

Rotherham Defeats Plymouth 1-0 in League One Clash

Rotherham
Rotherham
1–0
FT
Plymouth
Plymouth
Feb 28, 2026

Rotherham held off Plymouth to secure a crucial win in their League One campaign, thanks to an early goal by J. Rafferty at the New York Stadium. Despite numerous yellow cards and substitutions, the home team managed to maintain their lead throughout the match.

Key Facts

  • • Rotherham won 1-0 against Plymouth in League One.
  • • J. Rafferty scored the only goal of the game for Rotherham at minute 7, assisted by D. Yearwood.
  • • Four yellow cards were shown to Rotherham players: J. Baptiste (min. 15), J. Benson (min. 29), A. Martha (min. 33), and Daniel Gore (min. 75).
  • • Three substitutions for Plymouth included Joe Edwards replaced by O. Oseni at minute 81.

Lineups

Rotherham

Formation: 4-1-3-2

Starting XI

  • 13 Ted Cann (G)
  • 2 Joe Rafferty (D)
  • 36 Emmanuel Adegboyega (D)
  • 15 Jamal Baptiste (D)
  • 6 Reece James (D)
  • 16 Dru Yearwood (M)
  • 20 Duncan Watmore (M)
  • 19 Josh Benson (M)
  • 11 ArJany Martha (M)
  • 10 Sam Nombe (F)
  • 24 Harry Gray (F)

Substitutes

  • 3 Zak Jules
  • 44 Daniel Gore
  • 17 Shaun McWilliams
  • 1 Cameron Dawson
  • 18 Lenny Agbaire
  • 28 Brandon Cover
  • 29 Gabriele Biancheri

Plymouth

Formation: 4-4-2

Starting XI

  • 21 Luca Ashby-Hammond (G)
  • 45 Wes Harding (D)
  • 5 Julio Pleguezuelo (D)
  • 15 Alex Mitchell (D)
  • 29 Matthew Sorinola (D)
  • 8 Joe Edwards (M)
  • 28 Ronan Curtis (M)
  • 19 Malachi Boateng (M)
  • 17 Caleb Watts (M)
  • 39 Tegan Finn (F)
  • 27 Aribim Pepple (F)

Substitutes

  • 3 Jack Mackenzie
  • 10 Xavier Amaechi
  • 13 Zak Baker
  • 43 Sam Hayman
  • 14 Ayman Benarous
  • 7 Jamie Paterson
  • 18 Owen Oseni

Timeline

  1. Rotherham
    7' Rotherham Goal · Normal Goal
    J. Rafferty · Assist: D. Yearwood
  2. Rotherham
    15' Rotherham Card · Yellow Card
    J. Baptiste

    Foul

  3. Plymouth
    28' Plymouth Card · Yellow Card
    W. Harding

    Foul

  4. Rotherham
    29' Rotherham Card · Yellow Card
    J. Benson

    Foul

  5. Rotherham
    33' Rotherham Card · Yellow Card
    A. Martha

    Delay of game

  6. Rotherham
    36' Rotherham subst · Substitution 1
    Off: E. Adegboyega · On: Zak Jules
  7. Plymouth
    42' Plymouth Card · Yellow Card
    J. Pleguezuelo

    Foul

  8. Plymouth
    46' Plymouth subst · Substitution 1
    Off: J. Pleguezuelo · On: J. MacKenzie
  9. Plymouth
    50' Plymouth subst · Substitution 2
    Off: T. Finn · On: X. Amaechi
  10. Rotherham
    53' Rotherham subst · Substitution 2
    Off: D. Watmore · On: S. McWilliams
  11. Rotherham
    53' Rotherham subst · Substitution 3
    Off: J. Benson · On: Daniel Gore
  12. Rotherham
    75' Rotherham Card · Yellow Card
    Daniel Gore

    Foul

  13. Rotherham
    77' Rotherham Card · Yellow Card
    J. Rafferty

    Foul

  14. Plymouth
    81' Plymouth Card · Yellow Card
    Joe Edwards

    Unsportsmanlike conduct

  15. Plymouth
    81' Plymouth subst · Substitution 3
    Off: Joe Edwards · On: O. Oseni
  16. Plymouth
    81' Plymouth subst · Substitution 4
    Off: Matthew Sorinola · On: J. Paterson
  17. Rotherham
    82' Rotherham subst · Substitution 4
    Off: A. Martha · On: Lenny Agbaire
  18. Plymouth
    87' Plymouth Card · Yellow Card
    J. MacKenzie

    Foul

Match Stats

Stat Rotherham Plymouth
Fouls 10 14
Pass Accuracy 61% 65%
Offsides 2 2
Red Cards — —
Total Shots 17 19
Corners 2 8
Total Passes 297 286
Yellow Cards 5 5
Blocked Shots 4 8
Shots on Target 6 4
xG — —
Shots off Target 7 7
Possession 51% 49%
Goals Prevented — —
Accurate Passes 180 185
Shots Inside Box 11 10
Saves 3 5
Shots Outside Box 6 9

Key Match Notes

  • ▸ Rotherham's early goal in the seventh minute set a solid foundation, giving them the lead they needed to secure victory.
  • ▸ Despite Plymouth's numerous substitutions and possession of the ball later on, Rotherham defended well, holding off any counter-attacks.