On-the-whistle report: Grimsby Town 0 Rotherham United 1

CENTRE-HALF Michael Ihiekwe scored for the third time in three pre-season games as Rotherham United struck late on to scramble a win at Grimsby Town.
Jamie Lindsay fights for possession at Blundell Park. Picture by Jim BrailsfordJamie Lindsay fights for possession at Blundell Park. Picture by Jim Brailsford
Jamie Lindsay fights for possession at Blundell Park. Picture by Jim Brailsford

After midweek goals against Rochdale and Harrogate Town, the defender pounced from close range in the 84th minute to help the League One Millers see off National League opposition.

He forced the ball home against the Mariners, managed by Rotherham old boy Paul Hurst, after Jamie Lindsay's header had been saved.

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It was one of few bright spots in a scrappy, disjointed second half, following a bright opening period, as Paul Warne's men preserved their unbeaten pre-season record.

Rotherham were the first team to threaten and Michael Smith's tenth-minute header from Chiedozie Ogbene's cross forced a good save from James McKeown.

Eight minutes later, Ogbene almost set up a goal for the home side as he tried to cut out a long pass forward only for the ball to skim off his head straight into the path of Erico Sousa who was through on goal.

Viktor Johansson came to his teammate's rescue, standing firm and pulling off a fine save in front of an away ended containing around 450 Mllers fans.

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Soon after, the Swede pulled off an even better stop to keep out Harry Clifton's shot.

Ogbene broke across the field on 26 minutes to feed Mickel Miller whose fierce drive was parried by McKeown.

The game was serving as a testimonial match for  long-serving Town goalkeeper McKeown and there was a sizeable crowd inside Blundell Park.

Home and away supporters were in full voice and creating the kind of atmosphere so sorely missed during the Covid pandemic.

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In an open, end-to-end contest, Freddie Ladapo had a low effort saved just past the half-hour mark and Ogbene came agonisingly close to breaking the deadlock with a follow-up attempt that came back off the post.

Most of the chances were falling Rotherham's way now and new boy Shane Ferguson was denied a first goal for the club close to half-time when McKeown was equal to his shot.

Nine minutes after the break, the Millers had a let-off when Richard Wood was pickpocketed by John McAtee whose cross was glanced just off target by Sousa.

The second half was petering out amid a glut of substitutions until Ihiekwe was in the right place at the right time to seal victory for the Millers.

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Grimsby: James McKeown (Oliver Battersby 90), Michee Efete (Ryan Sears 69), Adam Crookes (Even Khouri 78), Ben Fox (Aaron Braithwaite 73), Luke Waterfall (Shaun Pearson 69), Giles Coke (Luke Spokes 62), John McAtee (Edwin Essel 69), Harry Clifton (Cohen Bramall 82), David Longe-King (Jaz Goundry 78), Erico Sousa (Harry Milner 78), Joel Grant (Max Wright H-T).

Rotherham (4-4-2): Viktor Johansson; Wes Harding, Michael Ihiekwe, Richard Wood (Jake Hull 78), Shane Ferguson (Dan Barlaser 69); Chiedozie Ogbene (Jacob Gratton 69), Jamie Lindsay, Ben Wiles, Mickel Miller (Josh Kayode 60); Freddie Ladapo (Bobby Kamwa 76), Michael Smith (Kieran Sadlier H-T). Subs not used: Josh Chapman, Joe Mattock, Jerome Greaves, Jake Cooper, Sam Greenhouse.

Goals: Ihiekwe 84 (Rotherham).

Referee: Geoff Eltringham (County Durham).

Attendance: 3,008 (461).

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