The Millers Reserves run out 3-0 winners...
Rotherham United Reserves sailed to a comfortable 3-0 victory over local neighbours Doncaster Rovers at Parkgate.
Both sides fielded a mixture of youth and experience for this Central League fixture, with the Millers including the likes of Scott Shearer, Richard Brindley, Tom Eaves and Michael O’Connor in the starting 11.
It was a cagey opening to the game at Roundwood with both sides having to cope with the blustery conditions. On eight minutes Matt Tubbs went close for the Millers but his close range strike was straight at Rovers stopper Jonathan Maxted, and shortly afterwards Eaves headed over from a corner.
Both sides were limited to very few clear cut chances with only speculative efforts from distance from O’Connor and Eaves worthy of any note.
On 35 minutes a flick on by Eaves found Michael Tidser but his effort brought another stop from Maxted.
Despite the Millers having the better of the few chances created it was Rovers who missed a golden opportunity to break the deadlock on 39 minutes. Veteran defender Andy Griffin was upended in the penalty area by Connor Johnson after a surging run, and the referee had no hesitation but to point to the spot. Experienced midfielder James Harper stepped up but crashed his penalty against the crossbar much to the Millers relief.
Before the break Tubbs had another effort saved whilst youngster James Cadman also missed the target after Conor Bell had caused problems in the penalty area.
Half time
Rotherham 0 v 0 Doncaster
The Millers took the initiative at the start of the second half and took the lead almost straight away. A deep cross from O’Connor found Tubbs at the back post and his header picked out Eaves who smashed the ball beyond Maxted.
It didn’t take long for the Millers to double their advantage when Tidser showed his quality by darting forward from central midfield, before drilling the ball low into the net beyond Maxted from 25 yards.
It could have been 3-0 on the hour mark but Cadman’s header cannoned off the bar after a terrific ball in from the left by Eaves.
The Millers were now fully in control and dictating proceedings. They put the icing on what was a confident display late on when sub Reece Lucas found Tidser, who once again netted from distance with a low shot into the bottom corner.
Rotherham: Shearer; Brindley, Mills, Rowe, Johnson, Bell, O’Connor (Lucas 65), Tidser, Cadman, Eaves, Tubbs.
Subs not used: Wigley.
Doncaster: Maxted; Griffin, Wakefield, Finnegan, McCullough, Middleton, Harper, Fernandez, Thomas, Paynter, Peterson.
Subs: Whincop, Lund, Brown, Terrell, Meade, Binns, Ferguson.