Youngsters heavily beaten in the North-East...
A young Rotherham United second string were on the wrong end of a nine-goal barrage by Hartlepool United at the home of Billingham Town last night.
The Millers, led by Mike Sheron were made up primarily of the team that overcame Fleetwood Town after extra time just 48 hours previously, and after Nialle Rodney scored in less than two minutes, there was little chance of a way back.
Anthony Sweeney doubled the lead with nine minutes on the clock, and Greg Rutherford grabbed the first of his hat-trick just minutes later.
Jordan Richards added a fourth for Pools around the half hour mark before Rodney netted his second not long after.
Monday’s hero Charlie Bryan did well to make two excellent saves prior to half-time but could do little to prevent a sixth goal early in the second period when Sweeney converted Richards’ cross from close range.
Rutherford got his second of the night to make it seven before Zak Boagey provided the evening’s magical moment, volleying over Bryan.
The scoring was rounded up with 20 minutes to play when Rutherford claimed the matchball with a composed finish after good build-up play by Ben Wignall.
Hartlepool: Pools: Rafferty, Richards, Holden, Walker (Wignall 56), Collins (Nellis 56), Rowbotham, Hawkin, Sweeney (Green 56), Rodney, Rutherford, Boagey.
Subs not used: Nearney, Foden.
Millers: Bryan, Lucas, Johnson (Wigley 56), Hallatt, Rowe, Fenton, Gibson (Norfolk 70), Cadman (Wiles 56), Yates, Bevins, Warren.
Sub unused: Williamson