Rotherham United Under 18s fell to a 4-2 defeat to Youth Alliance League leaders Harrogate Town at Graham Solley Sports Development Centre on Tuesday.
The U18s made a bright start to proceedings and were awarded with the opening goal of the game with 10 minutes on the clock. Hamid Seisay speared in a dangerous long-throw towards Archie Day, who flicked the ball on into the path of Zack Bond, who applied the finish from close-range.
The table-toppers worked their way back into the game and were presented with the chance to equalise from the penalty spot just before half time and the spot-kick was duly converted.
With the wind behind them in the second half, the league leaders asserted themselves on the contest and raced into a 3-1 lead before Rotherham found their way back into it with just 20 minutes to play. The impressive Rylee Grove played an inch-perfect through ball into Bond’s path and he turned provider to square the ball to Clarke to reduce the deficit.
With the Millers totally committed in attack, they were hit on the break by Town, who added a fourth to ensure all three points would be coming back with them to North Yorkshire.
ACADEMY | Ford, Shepherd (Hatton 75’), Jenkinson, Douglas (Mare 15’), Grove, Champion, Bond, Abraham, Seisay, Day, Clark.
UNUSED | Hamilton, Roddis.