Rotherham United’s Academy began the month of December with a home defeat to West Yorkshire counterparts Bradford City, who ran out as 4-1 winners when the two sides met at the back end of 2021.

Billy Carroll was on target for the Millers’ youngsters finding the back of the net on 25 minutes, but it was the Bantams who recorded all three points, ending a run of two games unbeaten for Richard Hairyes’ Academy outfit.

Next up on the agenda for the U18s is a huge FA Youth Cup Third Round tie at West Bromwich Albion, after they successfully overcame the challenges of Boldmere St. Michaels and Doncaster Rovers in the opening two rounds.

Academy | Ford; Greenhouse (Roddis 63), Carroll, Day, Jenkinson; Champion, Warne, Douglas, Bond (Grove 72); Durose; Clark.

Unused | Burnett, Hatton, Shepherd.