Rotherham United’s Academy returned to winning ways at the weekend as they prevailed as 2-0 victors in an all-Yorkshire clash against Bradford City in the Youth Alliance League.

Recent defeats to Lincoln City and Burton Albion marred an otherwise undefeated 2017/18 campaign in the Youth Alliance League for the Millers youngsters, who put themselves back on track on Saturday with goals from Jake Southern-Cooper and Tom Maguire securing them victory over the Bantams.

Maguire was the first to threaten to open the scoring inside the opening 10 minutes when he seized upon Ollie Kirkpatrick’s mistake in the home defence before having his volley tipped over by George Sykes-Kenworthy.

Chances were few and far between until five minutes before the break when the Millers edged themselves in front from a set piece routine. The towering figure of Southern-Cooper provided the lethal touch as he powered home a header after finding himself unmarked at a corner.

The visitors doubled their advantage soon after when Maguire’s persistence was rewarded after another surging run allowed him to fire a fierce effort beyond the goalkeeper to make it 2-0.

The Bantams’ second half display was much-improved on their first and saw them enjoy the lion’s share of possession following the restart but they were unable to capitalise and the Millers defence held firm.

The pressure intensified from the home attack as the game entered the final stages but the resolute Rotherham rearguard withstood the pressure and ensured they recorded a clean sheet and three points, to take them within one point of table-topping Mansfield Town.

Millers | McMahon; Atherton, Southern-Cooper, Johnson, Hinds; James (Hutchinson 70), Carlton, Martin
(Osborne 63); McGinley; Maguire (Lewthwaite 77); Kayode.

Unused | Beeden, Gratton.