Full report from the Development squad game...
Rotherham United’s Development Squad were beaten 5-1 by Queen of the South as the Millers ended their pre-season tour of Scotland.After a positive first-half in which the Millers lead through an early Daniel Rowe goal, they were overrun in the final 30 minutes as the home side ended their pre-season preparations with a win.
Paul Raynor and Paul Warne named a youthful side to end the Millers tour with a mixture of Academy prospects and Development players. The likes of Mitch Rose, Daniel Rowe, Nicky Walker, Tony Thompson and Reece Lucas were joined by first and second year scholars who were given the opportunity to make an impression.
It was an electric start by the Millers who were straight out of the blocks at Palmerston Park. Firstly Rose was denied after good work by Jerry Yates with a shot which was blocked by the Queen of the South defence. Less than a minute later Alex Wiles unleashed a fierce drive from 25 yards which was brilliantly saved at full stretch by ‘keeper Zander Clark. He was left helpless from the resulting corner however when his defence failed to clear allowing Rowe the simple task of slotting the ball in from close range.
The Millers looked comfortable on the artificial surface and despite a heavy downpour they seemed to be coping with the tricky conditions. The home side were restricted to largely long range efforts which never tested ‘keeper Thompson but as the half wore on Queen of the South began to get a stranglehold on the game.
With a couple of minutes remaining until the interval the home side broke the Millers resistance. A dangerous cross from the left into the near post picked out striker John Baird and he guided his header beyond Thompson from six yards out.
Half time
Queen of the South 1 v 1 Rotherham United
The home side improved at the start of the second-half and really should have gone in front on 53 minutes but for some heroic defending by Rowe. Iain Russell was bearing down on Thompson before sliding the ball to Baird with the Millers ‘keeper out of the equation. As the Queens’ striker pulled the trigger on what looked like an empty net, Rowe scampered back to block expertly and keep the game level.
On 62 minutes the Millers stubborn resistance was ended after good work down the left. Kevin Holt cut the ball back from the by-line for Baird to fire home from six yards with Thompson left with no chance. On 68 minutes the home side took a firm grip on proceedings when Connor Graham sprinted through on goal before playing the ball beyond Thompson which allowed an easy tap-in for Derek Lyle. Worse was to follow for the young Millers as Queen of the South’s extra pre-season match time began to show. On 77 minutes Lyle added his second of the game when he converted Lewis Kidd’s cross from the left, and three minutes later the same two players combined again, this time Lyle crossed for Kidd who made it five.
Full time
Queen of the South 5 v 1 Rotherham United
Queen of the South: Clark; Dowie, Durnan (D. Smith), Higgins, Holt (Kidd 61), Carmichael (Hooper 61), McShane (Reilly 61), Dzierzawski, Russell (Slattery 61), Baird (Graham 61), Paton (Lyle 61).
Subs not used: Atkinson, A. Smith.
Rotherham: Thompson; Peace-McDonald (Fenton HT), Lucas, Rowe, Warren, Walker, M. Rose, Wiles, Bailey-King (Mustiwe 73), Yates, Johnson.
Subs not used: Denton, T. Rose.
Attendance: 689