Rotherham United kicked off their pre-season fixtures with a comfortable 2-6 victory over a competitive Parkgate FC side at Roundwood.
Goals from Jamie Proctor (2), David Ball (2), Joe Newell and Anthony Forde, all in the first-half, were enough to see off a spirited Parkgate effort.
Boss Paul Warne gave 45 minutes to all members of his squad with the exception of Jon Taylor and Jerry Yates who were both nursing minor injuries.
It was a quick fire start by the Millers when after just three minutes they opened the scoring. Newell made good progress down the left-side before cutting the ball back for Proctor who had a simple tap-in.
The Millers though were quickly on the back foot when a slide rule pass released Danny Harris who rounded Richard O'Donnell to level for the home side.
Rotherham restored their advantage when on 17 minutes Newell again turned provider to cross from the left for Forde to convert from close range.
It was soon three for the Millers when David Ball motored into the penalty area before coolly slotting under Parkgate ‘keeper Hunter.
Parkgate stuck to the task and pulled one back just before the half-hour mark. Ash Emmett unleashed an unstoppable drive from 20 yards which left O’Donnell with no chance as it flew straight into the top corner.
The Millers hit straight back when good work down the left by Ben Purrington resulted in Proctor firing in his second goal of the afternoon.
After Will Vaulks hit the bar, the Millers added a fourth. A corner to the far stick was headed against the post by Michael Ihiekwe and David Ball was on hand to tap in.
Just before the break the Millers made it six when Newell showed his class by converting a dipping volley into the bottom left corner.
The Millers rang the changes at the break which saw Frazer Richardson given a run out after joining up on trial at the start of pre-season.
New signing Ryan Williams instantly impressed and it was his driving run just after the break which led to a strike just past the far post.
Fellow sub Alex Bray also shot wide as the chances started to dry up for the Millers.
With 20 minutes remaining Williams’ cross to the back post was met by the head of Jonson Clarke-Harris, and after Hunter’s save, Williams crashed the rebound over the bar.
The same player was close again soon after when Joe Mattock’s header wasn’t cleared, resulting in Williams’ header being pushed away.
Williams had the final effort late on when his long range strike was tipped onto the bar by Hunter, with the full-time whistle following shortly after to mark a winning start to the Millers’ pre-season.
Rotherham: O'Donnell (Price); Fisher (Richardson), Ihiekwe (Wood), Dom Ball (Ajayi), Purrington (Mattock), Forde (Bailey-King), Vaulks (Potter), Frecklington (Williams), Newell (Bray), David Ball (Francis), Proctor (Clarke-Harris).