Rotherham United’s Academy booked themselves a place in the Youth Alliance Cup final as they ran out as 3-1 victors over Preston North End in a hotly-contested fixture at the semi-final stage.
Ciaran Toner’s youngsters showed fantastic resolve to overturn a 1-0 deficit to see off the challenge of their Lancashire counterparts and earn them a place in the showpiece final against Fleetwood Town.
The Millers were left with some work to do after the Lilywhites had edged their noses in front but Jacob Gratton fired the hosts level on 19 minutes. The turnaround would be completed in the second half and was initiated by the same player who restored parity in the first.
Gratton was again the man on the scoresheet, this time on 62 minutes to establish the lead for his side, before Ciaran McGuckin put daylight between the two teams with another goal which followed just five minutes later, to make it 3-1 and ensure the Millers a place in the final of the competition.
The Millers will now face another outfit from the west coast at Fleetwood Town in the Youth Alliance Cup final on Saturday 29th February.
Millers | Farrar, Makwedza, Smith, Spence, Hull, Beeden, Hodgkinson, Gratton (Scott 89), Greaves, Peel-Evans, McGuckin (Kenny 78).
Unused | Ellis, Gateshill, Salah.