Rotherham United

Rotherham United’s Academy completed a second half turnaround to overcome Scunthorpe United on Friday, as they recorded a 3-2 win in the Youth Alliance League.

The Millers youngsters’ looked like they were headed for defeat when they met with the Iron at Roundwood at the weekend, trailing the visitors 2-0 at the interval, but Garreth Barker’s side rallied after the break with goals from Lewis Murr, Reece McGinley and Joshua Kayode overturning the deficit.

The Glanford Park-club took the early incentive on Friday with two goals prior to the break which prompted some stern words from Barker during half time with his side 2-0 down.

However, the Millers responded magnificently and reduced the arrears shortly after the restart. After a ball into the box was deemed to have been handled by a visiting defender in the box, Murr stepped up to despatch the penalty.

Buoyed by their goal, Barker’s side continued to cause problems and levelled shortly after through a piece of individual brilliance from McGinley.

There looked to be little danger when the midfield playmaker, who was recently called up to the Northern Ireland U19’s alongside teammate Tom Maguire, embarked on a mazy solo run. However, after jinking his way beyond three defenders, he opened up his body and placed an effort into the top corner to restore parity at Roundwood at 2-2.

With the hosts in the ascendancy, they pressed for a winner and found it late on after some persistent work from Kayode in the final third.

After an initial effort on goal, the Millers’ forward benefitted from a slice of fortune that was made possible by his willingness to hassle the Iron defence and allowed him to roll the ball home from an acute angle to win it for Barker’s side.