Rotherham 2-1 Port Vale
Saturday 2 August 2025 17:10, UK
Sam Nombe's first-half double saw Rotherham begin their League One campaign with a 2-1 win over Port Vale.
Nombe put his side in early control when he got on the end of Joe Rafferty's brilliant cross to sweep home from 12 yards in the 13th minute.
It got even better in the 29th minute when Nombe got his second, heading home from close range after Vale goalkeeper Marko Marosi could only flap at Denzel Hall's initial header.
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Vale's afternoon then got worse three minutes later as Jaheim Headley was dismissed for a reckless challenge on Nombe.
Vale boss Darren Moore made a triple substitution at the break and it changed the game as his side reduced their arrears on the hour as Connor Hall converted Mitch Clark's cross at the far post.
Rotherham were then reduced to 10 men in the 76th minute as Zak Jules earned a second yellow card after hauling Lorent Tolaj down and the Vale onslaught ensued.
The visitors piled on the pressure in the closing stages and thought they had a leveller deep into time added on as Tolaj hit the post from an acute angle as the Millers survived.
