MATCH REPORT: Millers tame Bantams in Checkatrade Trophy

ROTHERHAM United eased back to winning ways after a good night’s work at Bradford City in the Checkatrade Trophy.

First-half goals from Jerry Yates, Jonson Clarke-Harris and Richie Towell paved the way for a 3-0 victory, the Millers’ first in five games.

Although it might not be enough for a place in the knockout stages, it was a timely boost ahead of the return to the League One battleground at Doncaster Rovers on Saturday.

Paul Warne made 10 changes from the weekend FA Cup defeat at Crewe, with Joe Mattock taking the captain’s armband and playing central defence. There was also a first start for Academy product Ben Wiles.

The experimental side took the initiative from the off.

Yates opened the scoring after only 17 minutes with a precise finish, tucking in from ten yards after a move began by good work out wide by Clarke-Harris.

Clarke-Harris then doubled the advantage on 31 minutes when he earned, and slotted, a penalty kick low beyond the reach of goalkeeper Rouven Sattelmaier.

A strong half was capped just before the break with another crisp finish, guided into the bottom corner by Towell from 20 yards.

Apart from a mazy run and shot from Jordan Gibson which brought a good save from Lewis Price, there were few scares for Rotherham from their League One counterparts, who also used the tie to blood fringe players.

Warne took the opportunity to give runs in the latter stages to Alex Bray, Josh Kayode and Reece McGinley and the Millers closed the Group F encounter out with little fuss.

Bradford: Sattelmaier; Devine, Thompson, Laird, Robinson; Patrick (Hudson 64), Pybus, Dieng (Maltby 82), Gibson; McCartan, Poleon (Staunton 74)

Millers: Price; Emmanuel, Onariase, Mattock; Hinds; Taylor (Bray 63), Wiles, Towell, Forde (McGinley 81); Clarke-Harris (Kayode 74), Yates

Referee: Robert Lewis (Shropshire)

Attendance: 931 (48 visitors)