Late strike knocks out Millers...
Rotherham United suffered defeat in the FA Youth Cup after a 93rd minute free-kick won the game for Rochdale. The Millers, who led through Luke Beedham’s first half strike were pegged back midway through the second half, before the strike by Callum Camps sealed the tie.The Millers started the game well with Luke Beedham going close on two occasions only to see his first one float wide, and his second parried away by Dale ‘keeper Aaron Ashley. Dale soon settled and winger Joel Logan looked to be the danger man for the home side, firing just wide after a fine run from the left hand side.
Both sides had plenty of chances in the first period and it was the lively Camps in midfield who volleyed wide and looked to have set up Logan, only for a fine covering tackle by Reece Lucas.
With half-time approaching, the deadline was finally broken by Beedham, who was played in by Nicky Walker. The powerful striker produced a composed finish, lofting the ball over Ashley.
Half-time
Rochdale 0-1 Millers
Camps continued to pull the strings in the middle, and from just inside the area rattled the inside of the post with an effort before Dimitri Tuanzebe headed wide from Jamie Allen’s corner.
Dale eventually saw their pressure pay off, when a corner from the left was flicked on from Tuanzebe for Kevin Masirika to head home at the far post. Ayrton Bevin was introduced and was almost put through immediately only for Masirika to recover and make the tackle. Bevins did however turn provider as he played a delightful first time ball over the top which Walker took in his stride, but was eventually denied by the onrushing Ashley.
Logan continued to pile the pressure on for the visitors and found space inside the area and cannoned another shot off the inside of the post. Tuanzebe then forced a fine save from Tony Thompson who followed it up by also blocking Connor Martin’s rebound.
Beedham narrowly bent over the bar from the edge of the area before Camps stepped up deep into injury time to rifle home a stunning free-kick from 30 yards to send Rochdale into round two.
Full-time
Rochdale 2-1 Millers
Dale: Ashley, Hill, Samuels, Masiriki, Tanser, Hill, Cannon, Camps, Martin (Whitehall 78), Logan, Tuanzebe.
Unused: Musangu, Bell, Ksimba, Craddock.
Millers: Thompson, Rowe, Lucas, Hart, Cadman (Watson HT), Woods (66), Williamson (McKay HT), Johnson, Walker, Beedham, Travis.
Unused: Bryan, Wigley