Millers record victory at North Ferriby...
Rotherham United made it two friendly wins in as many days as they added a 2-0 triumph over North Ferriby United to their win at Chesterfield on Tuesday night.
The victory came courtesy of goals either side of half time from Ryan Williams and substitute Reece McGinley, but Warne's side did have Lewis Price to thank for preventing the hosts from taking a lead from the penalty spot.
A mixed Millers side containing a number of first team professionals and Academy players started brightly and signalled their intentions within the opening minute on Humberside.
Anthony Forde, who was involved in the game at Chesterfield on Tuesday, showed no signs of fatigue as he burst forward before delivering a dangerous cross, which just eluded the awaiting Kuda Muskwe in the area.
Ryan Williams showed similar fitness levels as he cut inside from the right and curled a left-footed effort at the far post, which was well saved by Ross Durrant in the home goal.
Young forward Muskwe did come close on 17 minutes drilling a low effort at the target after a neat one-two with Jerry Yates, but another save ensured the scores stayed deadlocked at 0-0.
The pendulum almost swung in the hosts’ favour just before the half hour mark, when Richard Wood handed them the opportunity to take the lead from the penalty spot after being adjudged to have fouled a North Ferriby attacker in the area.
Skipper Simon Russell, who had been impressive for the hosts, stepped up but was denied by an excellent save from Price, who guessed right and tipped the ball onto the post before gathering at the second attempt.
Williams showed good creativity in the final third again as the half time whistle approached. This time his silky footwork saw him dance his way to the byline before cutting back for Yates, who put his effort over from close range.
It looked set to remain goalless at the break, but the Australian had different ideas, notching his second goal in as many days having scored in the game at Chesterfield on Tuesday. Once again, he cut in from the wing before whipping a ball at the far corner, which beat Durrant and nestled in the back of the net.
Half time | North Ferriby United 0 v 1 Rotherham.
Millers boss Warne made a couple of changes at the break, introducing youngsters in the places of some of his senior professionals and the game settled down whilst the likes of Reece McGinley found their feet.
Seconds after the hour mark the Northern Ireland international showed his ability as he embarked on a mazy run down the left, before finding Yates in the middle. After a neat turn the ball fell for Warren, who couldn’t keep his effort under the crossbar from 20 yards out.
Another half-time substitute launched a promising Millers’ attack and it was Darnelle Bailey-King’s pace this time that caused the home defence problems. The winger, who enjoyed a stint on loan at Gainsborough Trinity last season, turned on the afterburners after pinching the ball on halfway, but couldn’t keep his fierce strike on target as it whizzed just over the top corner.
Lewis Murr’s introduction came a little later in the half but he was another keen to impress after taking to the pitch. After seizing on possession in the middle of the park, he proceeded to make a run for the box and lashed a powerful effort just over the crossbar from 20 yards with the keeper well beaten.
The Millers got a second with 15 minutes remaining on the clock and it was McGinley who added his name to the scoresheet this time. The Millers’ Academy player stepped in from the left flank and hit a low strike at goal, which squirmed it’s way into the bottom corner via a deflection from a home defender.
Warne’s men almost added a third in some style when Joshua Kayode applied an excellent diving header to Bailey-King’s superb delivery from the right, but a super save from Durrant from point blank range ensured they had to settle for a victory by two.
Full time | North Ferriby United 0 v 2 Rotherham
North Ferriby United | Durrant, Cooke, Kyei, Rzonca, Skelton, Picton, Russell, Johnson, Seidi, Pugh, Emerton.
Subs | Exall, Ambula, Barlow, Bateson, Gnahore, Rogerson, Langton, Fry, Bowers, Brettell
Millers | Price; Do Ball, Belaid, Wood, Hinds; Williams, Warren, Wiles, Forde; Yates, Muskwe.
Subs | Bilboe, Bailey-King, Francis, Southern-Cooper, Murr, Kayode, McGinley, Atherton.