Two late second half goals from Paul McKay and Rob Fixter give Rovers three valuable points in the race for the Youth Alliance league title.
Lincoln - 0Rovers - 2 (P.McKay 80’ , Fixter 84’)
Friday 27th March
North East Youth Alliance League
It was a first half that with very few chances for either side, but it was Rovers that had the first chance on goal through Paul McKay.
Kevin Mbuti floated in a free kick from 40-yards out, it fell to McKay in the box but his right-footed effort was well over the crossbar.
Lincoln were undone by another set piece but this time it was a free kick by Connor Williamson that caused confusion between goalkeeper Richard Walton and his defence.
The goalkeeper came to collect the ball but completely missed his punch, it fell to McKay again, this time on the spin he got a better connection on his effort but it was only just over.
Half Time: Doncaster Rovers U18's 0-0 Lincoln City U18's
Goalkeeper Johnathan Iveson for Doncaster took a blow to the face three minutes after half time, Lincoln captain Liam Harris was through on goal and was ready to slot the ball home but a piece of brave goalkeeping kept the score at 0-0.
Iveson had to come off moments later with a suspected broken nose, youngster Louis Jones replaced him.
It took 55 minutes for either side to have an effort on target, an individual run by Joseph McCormick created an opportunity for himself to pull the trigger and he did, his effort was easily saved by Walton.
Substitute goalkeeper Jones nearly had a moment to forget as he was dispossessed on the edge of his own box by Lewis Millington, but the Rovers defence were there to back the in-experienced goalkeeper up.
The introduction of Alex Head definitely changed the game, his precise passing and skill created the first real opportunity of the game. His direct free kick rattled the underside of the crossbar and bounced away from danger.
A goal finally came for Rovers, a square ball across the 18-yard box by Michael Carberry went straight to captain Paul McKay who placed a stunning low effort into the bottom left corner.
It was two shortly after, a brilliant piece of team play by Doncaster undid the Imps. McCormick picked the ball up after a defensive mix up, he passed it to Pugh who off loaded it to Fixter, the debutant poked the ball past the onrushing Walton to double Rovers lead.
Full Time: Doncaster Rovers U18's 2-0 Lincoln City U18's
Team Lineups-
LCFC Starting XI: Walton, Grundy, Stewart, Wright, Cooke, Griffin (Loftus 45), Harper, Fewkes, Millington, Barr-Rostron, Harris (C) (McMenamy 60).
LCFC Subs: Thompson Anderson.
DRFC Starting XI: Iveson (Jones 48), Greasley, Carberry, Linley, P. McKay (C), Mbuti, Longbottom (Fixter 70), Parkin (Head 70), Pugh, Williamson, McCormick.
DRFC Subs: Barker, Walker
Cautions: Carberry