Rotherham 3-2 Latics

Latics fell to defeat in their second Vetru Trophy Group E after a second-half comeback from the hosts at the New York Stadium. 

The opener came within the first minute of the game. Luke Hannant saw the ball fall perfectly for himself as his half volley flew into the far corner.

Latics doubled their scoring over the hosts in the 35th minute as Reagan Ogle was the one to react quickest after a free-kick was delivered into the box.  

Rotherham pulled one back after the break when a Kian Spence magic moment gave the hosts a lifeline in the game.  

After the assistant referee waved for offside on a Rotherham equaliser, minutes later as Joe Rafferty's long-rage strike deflected in off Jake Leake. 

The momentum stayed with the hosts as Reece James saw his curled effort win the game late on for the hosts. 

After 45 seconds, Latics got off to a dream start after a cross down the right flank was poorly cleared by the home side and fell to Kai Payne, who lofted the ball into the box for Hannant. A beautiful half volley saw his shot fly into the far corner, leaving Cameron Dawson no chance.  

Latics continued with their perfect start as pressure continued within the opening five minutes. A tackle from Jules saw a loose ball fall for Hannant, whose shot unfortunately curled away from goal.  

The hosts had their first chance of the game in the 10th minute. An interception by Kian Spence saw him deliver a dangerous cross for Hamish Douglas. Fortunately, his effort looped over the bar.  

Latics had a great opportunity to double the lead in the 22nd minute when a throw in from Jake Leake was flicked on by Joe Quigley through to Payne as he tried to dink Dawson first time. However, the goalkeeper caught the ball comfortably.  

Minutes later, Captain Tom Conlon was forced off injured after a heavy collision.  

On the half-hour mark, Rotherham came close to an equaliser from a powerful cross on the right flank by Jack Holmes, which met a diving Kion Etete. Luckily for Latics, his header went inches over the bar.  

With 10 minutes left of the half, Latics doubled their lead after a dominant first-half display. Ryan Woods' free kick found Quinley; his header was looped into the air and fell for Ogle, who reacted quickest to nod the ball past Dawson.  

Latics went into the break with a commanding lead, leaving the hosts plenty of work to do in the second half.  The hosts pulled one back six minutes into the second half after Spence had an effort from distance which curled brilliantly into the far top corner. A moment of brilliance which the hosts needed.  

Latics came close in the 61st minute when Tom Pett fed through Kieron Morris and he rounded the goalkeeper; however, Dawson did enough to get back and put Morris off.  

Rotherham were eager to level the scoring after a period of immense pressure from the hosts. Martin Sherif had thought he levelled the scoring after firing a low effort from close range. Fortunately for Latics, a brilliant save by Tom Donaghy saw his reflexes come into play as he kept the hosts at bay.  

The hosts thought they had equalised in the 85th minute when Josh Ayres notched the ball in the bottom corner. However, the assistant referee waved his flag for offside.  

One minute later, the hosts did find that equaliser after a cross from Rafferty was turned in by Leake in his own net.  

The hosts completed the turnaround when substitute James cuts in on his right foot and bends one into the bottom corner in stoppage time.  

 

Rotherham United: Dawson, Jules, Spence, Baptiste, Yearwood, McWilliams (Ayres 80), Sherif (Gore 63), Holmes, Douglas (Rafferty 46), Etete (Hugill 46), Richardson (James 46).  

Subs not used: Powell, Hall.  

Oldham Athletic: Donaghy, Ogle, Leake, Pett, Woods, Conlon (Morris 27), Sutton, Quigley (Fondop 64), Hannant, Olson (Monthe 76), Payne (Hammond 64).  

Subs not used: Hudson, Garner, Hawkes.  

Referee: A. Bannister  

Attendance: 1,310 (145 away)