Hndle goals win it for reserves

With both clubs facing similar situations regarding available players for the remainder of their first team campaigns, the game in effect was a virtual youth team affair, with only the Millers’ goalie Ian Gray having league experience. And it was the underdog Clarets youngsters, currently seventh in Division Two of the Youth Merit League as opposed to the Millers’ position of second in the First Division, who came out on top in an entertaining game, much to the delight of the 121 faithful.

Ronnie Jepson opted again for the 4-5-1 formation he had used at Barnsley, so the Clarets lined up:

James Salisbury; Andrew Leeson, Ryan Townsend, Liam Eves, Paul Scott; Mark Rasmussen, Joel Pilkington, Richard Chaplow, Andrew Waine (capt.), Matthew O’Neill; Damien Hindle. Subs (none used): Robert Grimes, Rhys Carpenter, Danny Pitham, Marc Pugh, Tom Ince.

Rotherham, in 4-4-2:

Ian Gray; Craig Mudd, Luke Pritchard, Tom Smith, Nick Page; Andrew Middlebrook (Ben Bradford 62), Liam Kay, Kris Bowler, Tom Fletcher; Andrew Jones, Will Hoskins. Subs not used: Stuart Ludlam, Jamie Waite, Mark Newsham, Sam Dumcum.

With Damo a lone striker the idea was clearly for the midfielders to get forward in support as often as possible. Within the first few minutes Pilkington had done this to good effect, coming close twice with headers. Liam then had a powerful header blocked from a corner, and Ras fired just over after a good run.

Richard Chaplow was enjoying himself in his central midfield role, spraying the ball accurately out to the wings where Ras and Matty O’Neill were getting forward well, and Andrew Waine was cutting out much of the threat from the Millers’ midfield.

However, although the Clarets were in the ascendancy, the Millers were looking lively up front where Will Hoskins in particular was impressing. The young striker already has a reserve hat trick under his belt and his strong running and close control were beginning to create one or two problems for the defence.

After 22 minutes the Millers took the lead through this channel. Hoskins was played through for a one-on –one with Salty. Liam nipped in quickly to cover, only to whip the ball off the striker’s toe and see it fly past the helpless goalie.

Rotherham now had their best spell of the match, and twice Salty was called upon to make good saves from powerful shots from the lively Fletcher.

Gradually though, the Clarets began to reassert their control in midfield, and after a Chaplow shot had been saved, in the 40^th minute they drew level. A Millers defender handled a Joel dinked cross, and Hindle converted the penalty with his usual precision.

In the second half the Clarets continued from where they had left off, only now Matthew O’Neill was becoming much more involved down the left. Time and again he would take on his defender, leave the poor lad with knotted legs, get to the line and put over a tantalising cross. Fortunately for Rotherham, the overworked central pairing of Smith and Pritchard were doing well to clear the danger.

After 67 minutes the Clarets almost took the lead following a fine piece of improvisation from Hindle. Using his strength to hold off defenders when seemingly surrounded near the left touchline, he whipped over a high cross which Rasmussen, arriving at the far post, touched just wide.

The visitors’ relief was short-lived though, as in the 76^th minute Ras returned the favour for Damo to get the winner. Under pressure, the Rotherham defence got itself into a tangle trying to clear. Ras nipped in, bore down on goal and sent in a low, hard cross that the stretching Hindle slid in at the far post for 2-1.

Rotherham tried to rally, but failed to trouble Salisbury who had been well-protected throughout the second half by his defence, with Eves and Townsend nullifying the threat of Hoskins.

Broad smiles from the bench greeted the final whistle for this fourth win out of the last five games. Mathematically, the Clarets now need seven points from five games to be certain of avoiding relegation, but in reality five should comfortably do it.

Finally a word of appreciation for man-of-the-match Damien Hindle. 19 year-old Damo has produced some excellent performances over the last few months, but this was probably his best. Not only is he seemingly scoring goals at will, his all-round game has improved immeasurably in that time. He holds the ball up well, rarely wastes possession and is always on the move, thinking and looking to unsettle defenders and create openings.

A place on the first team bench before the end of the season? Well, we all know that Stan moves in mysterious ways, his wonders to perform. But if were to happen, it would certainly be well-deserved and a much-needed boost for all the younger players.