Late strike seals victory...
A last minute wonder goal from James Cadman gave Rotherham United’s Reserves a deserved win over Oldham Athletic after an entertaining game at Roundwood.
Braces from the Millers’ Connor Bell and Oldham’s Connor Hughes had seen the game seemingly heading for a draw until Cadman’s expert volley on the turn sealed all three points for the team taken by Steve Moss.
Scott Shearer continued his comeback from injury, playing the full 90 minutes in goal, but otherwise it was a youthful Millers team that took to the field against an Oldham side which also had a youthful look about it.
After a scrappy start, the deadlock was broken on sixteen minutes. A good run by Ally Watson earned a corner on the left, Phil Woods delivered and the loose ball was smashed home from close range by Connor Bell after Oldham had failed to clear their lines.
The Millers now started to take control of the game, with Watson starting to dominate the midfield. However, the home side’s lead lasted just ten minutes as Oldham equalised against the run of play.
Woods was robbed of possession on the halfway line by Connor Hughes and the Oldham winger strode forward and caught Shearer out with a speculative right-footed effort which looped into the far corner.
Oldham then went close when Luke Wandless headed wide, while Luke Beedham and Nicky Walker both went close with curling efforts before Oldham took the lead.
A high free-kick wasn’t dealt with by the Millers backline and the ball fell to Hughes who rifled another unstoppable shot into the top corner from 18 yards.
The Millers responded well and had chances when Bell dragged wide and when Watson went past two men before curling a shot just past Liam Jacob’s left-hand post from the edge of the area.
The half-time deficit was harsh on the Millers who had played some good football in the first half and they continued to do so after the break.
They should have levelled when Watson fed Bell who layed the ball off for Walker who was through on goal but saw his shot turned wide by Jacob.
Walker again went close when he was freed by good link-up play between Bell and Beedham but his effort went just over the crossbar.
The signs were encouraging for Steve Moss and co. and with 64 minutes played, they were level.
Reece Lucas carried the ball up to the halfway line down the left after an Oldham corner. He played an excellent through ball to Walker who got his head up and played in the on-running Bell who coolly slotted past Jacob for his second.
The home side dominated the remainder of the game and Cadman went close with a volley on the turn after Lucas chipped the ball into his path, while substitute Michael Williamson shot wide from Beedham’s lay-off.
Rotherham’s second half performance in particular deserved a winner and it came just after the board had gone up to indicate three minutes of added time.
A long ball was played forward and Cadman had come in from the right, he held off his man and volleyed the ball beyond the despairing right hand of Jacob and in off the left hand post.
There was still time for Oldham to miss a golden opportunity to equalise as substitute Tom Clarke volleyed over when well placed at the death. However, the last minute winner was no more than the Millers excellent passing display had deserved.
Full time: Rotherham United 3-2 Oldham Athletic
Millers: Shearer; Lucas, Rowe, Hart, Travis; Cadman, Woods, Watson, Walker; Beedham, Bell (Williamson 70).
Subs not used: Wigley, Bevins, McKay.
Oldham: Jacob; Jones, Belezika, Poxon, Truelove; Pritchard (Brewster), Cooper, Benourad (Hardman), Hughes; Foulds (Clarke), Wandless.
Sub not used: Coleman.