Rotherham United take on Hartlepool United in the semi-final of the Papa John’s Trophy on Wednesday evening.
The Millers got through to this round by winning all their three games and topping Group E. Their first game was a six-nil away win against Doncaster Rovers before beating Scunthorpe four-one and a Manchester City U21 side five-nil both at the New York Stadium. They then took on Port Vale at the New York Stadium which ended one-all after ninety minutes – goals coming from Michael Smith for the Millers and David Amoo for the visitors – sending the tie to penalties which Rotherham won five-three. Their last game was this week away at Crewe and despite going one down came back to win four-two goals coming from Kieran Sadlier, Michael Smith, Joshua Kayode and Freddie Ladapo. The quarter-final’s saw Cambridge United at the New York Stadium where Wes Harding put the Millers in front on nine minutes but five minutes before half-time the U’s equalised. The game went to penalties which Rotherham won seven-six.
Pools finished second behind Carlisle in Group A to get through to an away game at Hillsborough which they won three-nil. Earlier this week a late goal from Matty Daly gave them a one-nil win at home to Bolton Wanderers. Like the Millers Hartlepool had a home time in the quarter-final’s when Charlton Athletic were the visitors. Joe Grey put the hosts in front on seven minutes with Charlton equalising ten minutes later. Alex Gilbey made it two-one to the visitors before half-time but Pools equalised through Luke Molyneux sending the tie to penalties which Hartlpool won five-four.
Rotherham come into this game topping League One while ‘Pools are sitting in mid-table of League Two. Hartlepool’s last home game was a one-all draw with Sutton United with them winning their game at the weekend away at Harrogate. The Millers lost at home on Saturday to fellow promotion hopefuls MK Dons with their last away match at Shrewsbury being goalless.
Hartlepool will be without Bryn Morris who is suffering with a knee problem while Jake Hull, who is on loan from Rotherham, and another loanee Joe White will also be missing.
The Millers will be without striker Freddie Ladapo who limped off on Saturday and is awaiting a scan result but Rarmani Edmonds-Green should be in the travelling squad after being out since the end of January. It also might be that another of the long term injured Mickel Miller could travel but Georgie Kelly’s debut is in doubt as he’s suffered a calf strain while Joshua Kayode is also doubtful. Jamie Lindsay missed Saturday’s loss with MK Dons with a shoulder injury but it’s hoped he might be in the travelling squad.
West Yorkshire’s Robert Madley has the whistle for this game.
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