Rotherham United 1 - 2 Sheffield Wed.: Sheffield Wednesday win South Yorkshire derby at unimpressive Rotherham

Posted Saturday, October 24, 2015 by PA

Sheffield Wednesday continued to rule the roost over South Yorkshire rivals Rotherham as they registered a 2-1 Sky Bet Championship win at New York Stadium.

The Owls, who stretched their unbeaten run to nine games in all competitions, extended their even better record against the Millers in away league matches thanks to a five-minute two-goal salvo at the start of the second half.

Lucas Joao put them ahead just 34 seconds after the restart and Fernando Forestieri made it two in the 50th minute, ensuring the Owls remain unbeaten at Rotherham in the league since 1976.

Tom Thorpe's consolation at the death did little to mask a poor Rotherham performance that outlined the uphill task new boss Neil Redfearn has in keeping them in the Championship as he is still yet to taste victory in three games.

The red-hot atmosphere in the build-up to kick-off gave hope that a barnstorming derby was on the way, but it did not start off that way.

Both teams were hindered by a lack of quality and clear-cut chances were at a premium.

It was perhaps Rotherham that had the better of the opening 35 minutes, with Jonson Clarke-Harris having an effort from distance that tested Kieren Westwood's handling.

But it was Wednesday who finished the half the stronger as they had two chances to take the lead, with Barry Bannan heading over at the end of a counter-attack before Kieran Lee fired over from another quick break.

However, Wednesday needed just 34 seconds of the second half to take the lead.

Forestieri nicked possession off Thorpe in the penalty area and drove in a low shot which Lee Camp could only push out to the grateful Joao, who had the simplest of tap-ins.

If the Millers keeper could have done better for the first goal, he was solely at fault for Wednesday's second five minutes later.

The former Bournemouth man meekly fumbled weak Daniel Pudil's header from a corner and Forestieri was on hand for another tap in from close range.

Wednesday were rampant and Joao should have had another, but he fired over from eight yards.

Rotherham eventually stemmed the tide and tried to muster some sort of response, but they never looked like reducing the arrears as Wednesday's defence, marshalled by Glenn Loovens, had as trouble-free evening as they could have wished for.

Indeed it was Wednesday who had further opportunities, with the enterprising Bannan blazing over the best of them before placing another one wide.

Thorpe did find the back of the net as he converted Chris Maguire's free-kick with the final action, but there was little for the Millers supporters to cheer as they suffered more derby disappointment.