Rotherham United

The Millers youngsters prevailed as 3-2 winners over Hartlepool United at Graham Solley Sports Centre on Tuesday.

A Kuda Muskwe brace added to a Pools’ own goal ensured Garreth Barker’s side recorded victory on a blustery day in South Yorkshire.

The visitors tried to mount a fightback but the Millers held firm despite being powerless to resist as a late penalty proved only to be a consolation for Hartlepool.

Muskwe has been amongst the goals in recent weeks and Academy Manager Barker was pleased to see that the attacker had taken heed of some pre-match advice:

“Kuda scored two goals. The first was a really good goal and I’d told him before the game that he needed to be a bit more selfish and physical around the box,” he beamed.

“He’s got a half turn on his defender and he’s used his strength to get across him and then he’s just passed the ball beyond the ‘keeper and into the net.

“The second one he’s just kept his cool under pressure to tuck home a rebound”

The Millers Academy practiced an industrious approach to the game and got the reward when a spell of pressure forced Hartlepool into an error:

“The third goal was an own goal from them after we pressured them high up the pitch and forced them into a mistake. They’ve tried to play out from the back and it’s come off their defender and gone in.”

“They’ve managed to get one back by using the weather conditions to their advantage.

“Their second is a penalty which Laurence in goal can’t do anything about. He’s gone the right way but he’s just not been able to get to it.

“It was a good win against a team that beat us earlier in the season. It’s extra pleasing because we’ve got a few players missing with injury like Alex Wiles and then Peter Denton and Jerry Yates are out on loan, so it’s been nice to see the other boys stepping up to the plate."