Matt Hamshaw talks to www.themillers.co.uk...
Rotherham United coach Matt Hamshaw was delighted with his young side’s showing in The Central League Cup against Bradford City, despite falling to a last gasp strike which saw them defeated 1-0 in West Yorkshire.A Millers team, whose most experienced player and captain was second year professional Mason Warren, lined up against a Bantams side with a number of senior pros amongst the ranks including the likes of Rory McArdle, Nathan Clarke and Filipe Morais and gave a good account of themselves before being harshly defeated in the dying embers of the game at Woodhouse Grove School.
The visitors looked set to earn themselves a hard-fought point on Tuesday afternoon until Reece Webb-Foster’s added time effort saw him finally beat Laurence Bilboe in the Millers’ goal, but Hamshaw was quick to express his pride at his side’s efforts in the second string.
“The lads were different class in the way they've performed today,” he told www.themillers.co.uk.
“I'm really pleased and it's a big improvement. I thought our shape in and out of possession was very good and on another day we could have scored a couple of goals against a strong Bradford team.
“I thought we limited them very well and I was just really pleased with the all-round performance and I thought all the professionals did well, but there has to be a special mention for Laurence, Mason and Kuda.
“It's a massive step forward for us. The lads didn't shy away from playing against a really experienced team and they almost embraced it and gave a really good account of themselves.”
The Millers youngsters did forge a number of chances of their own in the game and Hamshaw is keen to ensure his side become more ruthless in front of goal in future games.
“We had a penalty shout and one or two half chances. Reece McGinley had a great chance and Kuda worked some good chances which he made himself,” he explained.
“We did have opportunities but one area we can improve would be getting our shots away quicker instead of going for an extra pass.
“Everything I have asked them to do, they've done and unfortunately we've been pipped at the post."