The Millers take on Wolves in the FA Youth Cup...
Rotherham United suffered late heartache as a last minute winner from Jesse Devers secured Wolves a place in the fourth round of the FA Youth Cup.
The Millers lead through a superb Darnelle Bailey-King strike but late goals from Regan Upton and Devers sent Wolves through to face Tottenham in round four.
On paper it looked a tall order for Garreth Barker’s side against a Category One Academy in Wolves, but the Millers more than matched their opponents in a first-half where they created the better chances.
After a bright start by Wolves where Mekhi Leacock-McLeod had the first real effort on goal which was deflected over the bar, the Millers quickly settled into the unfamiliar surroundings of the AESSEAL New York Stadium.
On 18 minutes Mason Warren threatened with a long range effort which was watched over the bar by Wanderers stopper Harry Burgoyne.
Four minutes later and the Millers come close with the best opening of the game so far. Darnelle Bailey-King’s deep cross was only partially cleared by the Wolves ‘keeper, but after initially controlling the loose ball Warren crashed his shot over from just inside the area.
The Millers created another good opportunity when right-back Fabian Bailey made good progress down the right before firing a low shot towards goal, which was pushed away by Burgoyne at full stretch.
Half time
Rotherham 0 v 0 Wolves
The Millers made a blistering start to the second half and took the lead on 49 minutes. Dan Smalley crossed from the left after good hold up play by Jerry Yates; his cross was only cleared as far as Bailey-King who brought the ball down on his chest before smashing the ball home off the underside of the bar.
Wolves almost levelled on 55 minutes when Bright Enobakhare rode several challenges before squaring to Jesse Devers whose shot cannoned off the outside of the post.
Shortly after Leacock-McLeod thundered in a shot from distance which was brilliantly tipped wide by the fingertips of ‘keeper Peter Denton.
As the game started to come to the boil Yates came close to doubling the Millers advantage when his long range strike just dipped over the bar.
Just past the hour Connor Hunte cut inside and his curling effort beat Denton but fortunately for the Millers it flashed by the far post.
It was a case of déjà vu on 67 minutes when the same player cut in from the right before shooting narrowly wide again.
At the other end Warren flashed a shot wide of the target as the Millers continued to look good value for their lead.
With 12 minutes left on the clock the Millers were given a scare when quick thinking from a free-kick resulted in Hunte shooting from a tight angle, after his shot beat Denton the Millers had Max Hallatt to thank for clearing off the line at full stretch.
The Millers began to tire and Wolves struck a late equaliser when Hunte’s corner was headed in at the back post by skipper Regan Upton much to the relief of the away side.
There was a frantic last minute for the Millers as Connor Johnson’s effort from six yards was blocked on the line as Rotherham failed to clear a corner from the far side.
The Millers luck did run out with the last attack of the game when a slide rule pass in behind was latched onto by Devers who stroked the ball past Denton to secure a late win for the visitors.
Full Time
Rotherham 1 v 2 Wolves
Rotherham: Denton; Bailey, Hallatt, Peace-McDonald, Smalley, Bailey-King (Gibson 70), Fenton, Wiles (Norfolk 50), Warren, Yates, Johnson.
Subs not used: Bilboe, Rose, Dickinson.
Wolves: Burgoyne; Matinyadze, Johnson, Upton, Breslin, Leacock-McLeod (Finnie 67), Ronan, Rainey (Lindsey 67), Hunte, Devers, Enobakhare.
Subs not used: Leak, Bills, Carnat.
Attendance: 403.