Academy finally beaten in Youth Alliance League...

Rotherham United’s unbeaten run in the Youth Alliance League finally came to an end this weekend as Burton Albion prevailed as 5-2 victors on Saturday morning.

Garreth Barker’s youngsters had their first blemish added to what has been an outstanding league season in the Academy season as the Brewers came from behind to inflict defeat on the Millers for the first time in 2017/18.

The Academy looked on course to maintain their unbeaten run as they took the lead twice, with Lewis Murr opening the scoring before Sam Martin restored the lead at 2-1 but a host of enforced changes allowed the Brewers to overturn the deficit and go on to win.

“We've finally been beaten in the league,” Academy manager Garreth Barker conceded.

“We took an early lead through Lewis and then we got pulled back to 1-1. Then Sam [Martin] scored to make it 2-1 and then unfortunately after half time we were forced into making some changes.

“We've lost Tom Bexton, who was with us on work experience, and Akeem Hinds had to come off through illness which left us with a younger side out on the pitch. That's a good thing for them in the grand scheme but I think it was just a matter of a bit of inexperience of those players playing together at the back.”

Barker was quick to praise his side for their achievements so far this campaign and is keen to get back on track after a bit of down time for the players this week. 

“The boys have been terrific and it's the first league game that we've lost,” he continued.

“As far as we're aware, there's only ourselves and Liverpool's Under 18s that have managed to get this far without defeat.

“The players can't dwell on it and we've just got to move on. What they've achieved is magnificent and I know they're disappointed but we arranged for them to go paintballing on Monday, so hopefully they can go and enjoy themselves before we pick them back up ahead of a friendly against Everton this weekend.”