Rotherham United maintained their 100% start to pre-season after a 2-0 victory over Soproni VSE at Lindabrunn Sportschule.
Goals from Jamie Proctor and David Ball secured the win as the Millers brought the curtain down on their tour of Austria with two victories out of two.
In a much sterner test to the one the Millers faced on Tuesday night, Paul Warne’s side pressed on despite a tough week of pre-season training to record another impressive victory over the Hungarian outfit.
Warne was able to give a first outing to Ipswich loanee Josh Emmanuel who joined up with the Millers mid-week, whilst Ryan Williams was back after suffering from illness which ruled him out of Tuesday’s game against Floridsdorfer. There was also a start for Semi Ajayi for the first time on tour, but the likes of Joe Mattock, Anthony Forde, Alex Bray and Lewis Price were rested as a precaution.
The Millers were on the front foot from the beginning pressing the Hungarian side back, as Warne’s side went hunting for possession high up the pitch.
New signing Emmanuel showed a glimpse of his attacking prowess when he raided down the right, skipping past two Soproni bystanders, but his cross into the near post just eluded Lee Frecklington.
On 20 minutes Williams sailed a long pass through the middle looking for Jon Taylor but the pint-sized winger just failed to beat the Soproni ‘keeper to the ball.
Five minutes later and the Millers had the breakthrough. Will Vaulks produced a stunning cross-field pass to pick out Jonson Clarke-Harris and the strikers' low cross was expertly turned in by Jamie Proctor who made a run to the near post.
The Millers were well on top throughout, despite still being in their pre-season infancy whilst their opponents’ domestic season starts next week.
Vaulks’ influence on the game was starting to grow, and his pass cross-field to find Clarke-Harris split the Soproni midfield. The Millers front-man then worked his way to the by-line before firing a cross through a crowded penalty area as the Hungarians escaped another attack.
As the half entered the closing stages, Williams crossed for Proctor but his header was well held by the Soproni ‘keeper.
Just before the break Clarke-Harris went close when he fired in a 25 yard free-kick just wide of the far post.
The Millers again set off on the front foot at the start of the second half, with Warne replacing the hard working Frecklington with Joe Newell.
Vaulks almost made it 2-0 when Proctor again showed great persistence to get to the by-line with his cut-back finding the midfielder, but the ex-Falkirk man fired just wide of the far post.
Just before the hour mark a strong run to the back post by Kieffer Moore almost paid off but he couldn’t quite connect with Newell’s centre.
With the game entering the last 20 minutes the pressing was unrelenting as Warne’s side defied their hard week in the hills to force back the opposition.
A Newell free-kick looked to have picked out Richard Wood in the area but despite an appeal for a push the referee waved away the experienced defender’s protests.
With 12 minutes remaining the hard work paid off as the Millers grabbed a deserved second. Newell and David Ball recreated their goal from Tuesday night, when the formers' clever disguised set-play released the former Fleetwood striker in the area before he lashed the ball into the top corner to ensure it was Goodnight Vienna for Soproni.
The Millers had further chances befpre rhe end but Warne will again be encouraged by another positive display.
Team: O’Donnell; Emmanuel (Fisher 60), Ajayi (Dom Ball 60), Ihiekwe, Purrington (Wood 60), Taylor (David Ball 60), Frecklington (Newell ht), Vaulks, Williams (Potter 60), Proctor (Yates 54), Clarke-Harris (Moore 64).