The Millers beat Scunthorpe at Roundwood...
Rotherham United Reserves defeated Scunthorpe United 2-1 thanks to goals from Wes Thomas and Michael O’Connor.
The Millers fielded a strong side the Final Third Development clash with The Iron at Roundwood. New signings Thomas and Blair Turgott were given starts, alongside senior professionals Haris Vuckic, O’Connor, Scott Shearer and Richard Brindley. Meanwhile, there was also a start for Claude Davis who has now served his three match ban, and the fit-again Danny Hylton also made the starting 11.
Scunthorpe also named a strong 11 with former Miller and veteran striker Deon Burton, partnering Gary McSheffrey and new signing Paddy Madden in attack.
Thomas, who made his Millers senior debut at the weekend, came close to opening the scoring after five minutes but after capitalising on a mistake at the back his shot was saved James Severn. A minute later an O’Connor free-kick was headed wide by Davis. The Millers bright start continued when they opened the scoring on 10 minutes. A terrific run by Vuckic resulted in a pass to Thomas who cut inside the defender before firing a shot into the corner.
Vuckic continued to impress and on 24 minutes another eye-catching burst ended with a shot into the side netting. Before the half-hour mark it was youngster Connor Johnson’s turn to produce a jinking run before laying the ball to Turgott who was denied.
On 30 minutes Turgott was denied again after a miss-kick from O’Connor. The ball found its way to the West Ham loanee but his shot grazed the top of the crossbar.
Despite the Millers dominance they were pegged back on 38 minutes. A free-kick from Andy Dawson took a cruel deflection before beating an unfortunate Shearer at the near post.
Half time
Rotherham United 1 v 1 Sunthorpe United
The second half didn’t have the same intensity as the first with Scunthorpe having the only chance before the hour mark, but this time Dawson’s set-piece was drilled wide.
On the hour mark Vuckic was involved again when he won the ball back in midfield but his effort was blocked.
With 13 minutes remaining the Millers livened up what was a very quiet second half when they grabbed a second goal. Subs Conor Bell and Ayrton Bevins combined before the ball was played out to another substitute Nicky Walker, whose delivery found O’Connor who headed in at the far post.
Scunthorpe threatened an equaliser on 82 minutes when the lively sub Hakeeb Adelakun showed some nimble footwork before firing over.
Reece Lucas forced a save out of Severn before the end as the Millers comfortably secured a deserved victory.
Full time
Rotherham United 2 v 1 Scunthorpe United
Rotherham: Shearer; Lucas, Rowe, Davis, Johnson, Brindley, Vuckic (Walker 63), O’Connor, Turgott, Thomas (Bell 63), Hylton (Bevins 63),
Subs not used: Bryan, Williamson, Cadman.
Scunthorpe: Severn; Grayson, Waterfall, Boyce, Dawson, Esajas, Collins, Sparrow, McSheffrey, Burton (Adelakun ht), Madden.
Subs not used: Weaver, Stothard, Sutton, Bateson, Wootton.