Stocksbridge v Millers report
A youthful Millers side were defeated 3-0 by an experienced Stocksbridge Park Steels outfit on Wednesday in their penultimate pre-season friendly.
First half goals from Chris Bettney and Nathan Joynes saw the Steels go in at the break with a two-goal cushion, with substitute Steven Hoyles capping the scoreline minutes before the final whistle.
The youthful Millers side dominated the early exchanges but were caught off-guard by the hosts who made the breakthrough on 16 minutes.
The hosts opened the scoring when former Rotherham youth player Liam Royles found himself with time to cross on the right before his deep ball picked out Bettney at the back post, who slotted the ball past Tony Thompson to put his side in front.
Steels threatened to double their advantage when a clever through ball from Andy Ring set Chris White free behind the defence, but an astute stop from Thompson ensured his side did not slip further behind moments later.
However, the home side did increase their lead through Joynes when he rose highest to meet a free-kick from the Millers' right, before directing the ball beyond the Millers’ ‘keeper and into the bottom corner.
Ainsworth proved a focal point in the Millers' final third and threatened on a number of occasions. His most notable attack came in the form of a mazy run into the box which eventually resulted in his low left-footed drive blocked on its route to goal by an outstretched Steels defender.
The Millers came close to reducing the deficit minutes before the break when Ainsworth and Odejayi combined on the edge of the area, allowing Ally Watson a strike on goal which he put narrowly over the crossbar.
Half-time: Stocksbridge Park Steels 2 - 0 Millers
The hosts maintained their first-half momentum after the restart and carved out a couple of early chances with substitute Joe Igenoza and Joynes looking lively in attack, with the former coming close with a powerful effort from close range.
The Millers forged an opportunity themselves minutes later when Rowe met a Walker free-kick from the right, only to be thwarted by a smart save from Ben Scott down at his near post.
Despite the scoreline Rowe provided a commanding aerial presence for the Millers and almost provided his side with a lifeline when he leapt highest to head Ainsworth's cross towards goal, only to be ruled offside by the referee's assistant.
The visitors were then denied a 70th minute goal by a spectacular save by Scott in the Steels' goal, who somehow kept out James Cadman's thunderous effort from Odejayi's cross, at the far post.
The young Millers outfit were determined in their search for a way back into the game but were caught on the counter by Stocksbridge who added a third minutes before the end.
Second half replacement Hoyles picked up the ball on the edge of the area before he rounded Thompson before calmly converting to put to bed any hopes of a late Millers comeback.
Full-time: Stocksbridge Park Steels 3 - 0 Millers
Millers: Thompson, Gibson, Johnson, Rose, Rowe, Lucas, Cadman, Watson, Odejayi, Ainsworth, Walker.
Millers subs: Bryan, Williamson, Wiggley, Bevins.
Stocksbridge Park Steels: Scott, Royles, Turner, Swirad, Bowden-Lovell, Callery, Bettney, Telling, Ring, Joynes, White.
Stocksbridge Park Steels subs: Hoyles, Travis, Davies, Senior, Knowles, Hoyles, Black, South, Igenoza.
The hosts opened the scoring when former Rotherham youth player Liam Royles found himself with time to cross on the right before his deep ball picked out Bettney at the back post, who slotted the ball past Tony Thompson to put his side in front.
Steels threatened to double their advantage when a clever through ball from Andy Ring set Chris White free behind the defence, but an astute stop from Thompson ensured his side did not slip further behind moments later.
However, the home side did increase their lead through Joynes when he rose highest to meet a free-kick from the Millers' right, before directing the ball beyond the Millers’ ‘keeper and into the bottom corner.
Ainsworth proved a focal point in the Millers' final third and threatened on a number of occasions. His most notable attack came in the form of a mazy run into the box which eventually resulted in his low left-footed drive blocked on its route to goal by an outstretched Steels defender.
The Millers came close to reducing the deficit minutes before the break when Ainsworth and Odejayi combined on the edge of the area, allowing Ally Watson a strike on goal which he put narrowly over the crossbar.
Half-time: Stocksbridge Park Steels 2 - 0 Millers
The hosts maintained their first-half momentum after the restart and carved out a couple of early chances with substitute Joe Igenoza and Joynes looking lively in attack, with the former coming close with a powerful effort from close range.
The Millers forged an opportunity themselves minutes later when Rowe met a Walker free-kick from the right, only to be thwarted by a smart save from Ben Scott down at his near post.
Despite the scoreline Rowe provided a commanding aerial presence for the Millers and almost provided his side with a lifeline when he leapt highest to head Ainsworth's cross towards goal, only to be ruled offside by the referee's assistant.
The visitors were then denied a 70th minute goal by a spectacular save by Scott in the Steels' goal, who somehow kept out James Cadman's thunderous effort from Odejayi's cross, at the far post.
The young Millers outfit were determined in their search for a way back into the game but were caught on the counter by Stocksbridge who added a third minutes before the end.
Second half replacement Hoyles picked up the ball on the edge of the area before he rounded Thompson before calmly converting to put to bed any hopes of a late Millers comeback.
Full-time: Stocksbridge Park Steels 3 - 0 Millers
Millers: Thompson, Gibson, Johnson, Rose, Rowe, Lucas, Cadman, Watson, Odejayi, Ainsworth, Walker.
Millers subs: Bryan, Williamson, Wiggley, Bevins.
Stocksbridge Park Steels: Scott, Royles, Turner, Swirad, Bowden-Lovell, Callery, Bettney, Telling, Ring, Joynes, White.
Stocksbridge Park Steels subs: Hoyles, Travis, Davies, Senior, Knowles, Hoyles, Black, South, Igenoza.