Youthful second string slip to narrow defeat...
A youthful Rotherham United slipped to a 2-1 defeat against Hartlepool United on Wednesday afternoon, at the home of Billingham Town.
Kieran Agard netted for the Millers in a game that was marred by blustery conditions in the north east. The Millers suffered a steady start, and Tony Thompson had to be alert to deny Lewis Hawkins and Luke James, whilst only Agard mustered a reponse which couldn’t find the target.
The Millers fielded a youthful backline with an average age of just 18, and they did well to hold out the slightly more experienced Pools.
The opener eventually arrived on the half-hour mark as Greg Rutherford’s centre was headed home from close range by Josh Rowotham. The Millers held out until half-time, but it was an eventful two minutes after the break that saw the game decided.
James, denied earlier in the encounter this time got the better of Thompson, sliding the ball underneath him to double the lead. Within a minute however, Agard had found the net, and in some style when he smashed home into the top corner from 20 yards.
Full Time: Pools 2 Rotherham United 1
Pools: McHugh, Brown, Holden, Rowbotham, Buddle, Johnson, Boagey (Hope 54), Hawkins, Rutherford, Luscombe, James.
Subs not used: Tuck, Green, Walker, Scott.
Millers: Thompson, Cadman, Lucas, Hart (Bell 78), Cameron, Walker, Woods, Rowe, Kearns (Beedham 58), Morgan, Agard.
Sub not used: Warne