The Millers get off to a winning start...
Rotherham United’s reserves kicked off their 2015/16 Final Third Development League campaign in style with a 5-0 thrashing of Gateshead at Roundwood Sports Complex.Goals from Farrend Rawson, Chris Maguire, Richard Wood, Paul Green and Danny Ward saw the Millers record an emphatic first win over a youthful Gateshead outfit managed by former Millers midfielder Micky Cummins.
The strong Rotherham side including the likes of Joe Mattock, Tom Thorpe and Lee Camp came flying out of the blocks and almost took the lead after just five minutes when Maguire’s corner found an unmarked Green in the box who headed narrowly wide of the target.
The hosts threatened again just seconds later with Emmanuel Ledesma providing the ammunition for Maguire from another set piece, only to see the Scotland international turn his effort over the crossbar.
Deadline day signing Camp was called into action for the first time in Millers’ colours on 36 minutes when Sam Johnston sprung the offside trap to find himself one-on-one, before he was denied by a smart save from the former Cherries stopper.
The breakthrough came five minutes before the interval and it was Paul Raynor’s side who deservedly took the lead. This time Rawson capitalised on another wicked Maguire delivery from a free kick to apply a deft flick which saw him head the Millers into the lead.
Provider then turned goalscorer when Wood whipped a tantalising cross into the area which the former Sheffield Wednesday forward brought under his spell before thumping an effort into the top corner from close range.
Half-time: Rotherham 2 v 0 Gateshead
The interval didn’t knock the Millers out of their stride and it was clear that they had carried the momentum into the second stanza when Maguire flashed an effort narrowly wide of the far post moments after the restart.
The hosts continued to apply the pressure and added a third just over 10 minutes after half time when another set piece, this time from Ledesma, found Wood in the box who crashed home a header from close range, despite claims from Rawson that he had applied the final touch.
The Millers continued to threaten from wide areas and their fourth goal came following some good wing play from Aidy White who burst to the byline before delivering a pinpoint cross which Green gleefully guided into the net at the near post.
Another set piece from the instrumental Maguire yielded another Millers goal on 71 minutes as Ward met with his corner from the left to power home a header and ensure the hosts started their Final Third Development League season in style with a 5-0 win.
Full-time: Rotherham 5 v 0 Gateshead
Millers: Camp, Richardson, Wood, Rawson, Mattock (Warren 61), Ledesma, Green © (Wiles 85), Thorpe, White (Yates 72), Maguire, D Ward.
Unused: Bilboe, Rose, Bailey-King.
Gateshead: MacDonald, Ackroyd, McCarthy, Allen, Colquhoun, Froggatt, Briggs, Mafuta, Johnston (Wallace 69), White (Hailes 53), Wrightson (Elliott 31).
Unused: Redford, Ashton.