Rotherham United: Early bird Smith seals 1-0 Millers tour victory

Rotherham United ended their pre-season tour of Austria with victory against SC Wiener Neustadt.
Michael SmithMichael Smith
Michael Smith

Paul Warne’s squad took to the Austrian hills once again for a tough week-long camp.

Last year’s trip was widely regarded as the roots of last season’s League One promotion success.

Paul WarnePaul Warne
Paul Warne
Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Warne upped the minutes for some of his players with Will Vaulks and Matty Palmer playing the entire game.

The manager rang the changes in the second half as 20 players were used throughout Saturday afternoon.

The only goal of the game came after just two minutes with Michael Smith putting away a Vaulks long throw.

The Millers were forced to defend well to keep their advantage intact in the first half.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Another Vaulks long throw gave new signing Clark Robertson the chance to shoot, but his effort was blocked.

The hosts’ best chance of the first half was a free-kick which Lewis Price carefully watched past the post just before the break.

After the resumption, Vaulks’ long-range drive flew over the hosts’ bar.

Anthony Forde was kept out by a super stop before Reece McGinley shot wide after being found by Joe Mattock.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

The Millers upped the ante right at the end as their opposition began to tire.

McGinley had an effort saved after breaking forward, before a superb Forde free-kick was kept out by spectacular stop.

Just before the final whistle substitute Josh Kayode flicked a header wide from the resulting corner.

The Millers will continue their pre-season schedule with two friendlies on Tuesday night, at Sheffield FC and Stockbridge Park Steels.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Millers: Price (Bilboe, 74), Do Ball (Kayode, 83), Wood (Hinds, 79), Robertson (McGinley, 74), Purrington (Mattock, 64), Taylor (Williams, 64), Vaulks, Palmer, Newell (Yates, 64), Vassell (Da Ball, 45), Smith (Forde, 64).