It was another impressive result for Rob Jones' men after they put three goals past Scunthorpe.
Scunthorpe - 0Rovers – 3 (Head 45’ , Middleton 51’ , Mandeville 71’)
Wednesday 18th March, 2015
Brigg Town FC, Scunthorpe
Final Third Development League
Kick off 2.00pm
Captain Harry Middleton was the stand out player of the two sides, with his fantastic cross field balls and he even managed to get a goal via the penalty spot.
There was an early chance for Rovers, Joseph McCormick played a precise chipped ball over the top of the Irons defence, it was picked up by Liam Mandeville who tried to round the goalkeeper but Weaver pulled off a brilliant 1-on-1 save.
Michael Carberry was brilliant in the first 25 minutes, he was very vocal throughout and he even produced a few moments of brilliance with his pace and determination to beat players down the left side of the pitch.
It was nearly a moment to forget for Marko Marosi, he did not get a hold of his clearance and it fell to Scunthorpe's captain Levi Sutton, his effort from 25-yards was well wide of the left post.
Joseph Pugh's quick feet undid the Irons defence and the new signing for the Rovers Academy side nearly opened the scoring. His right footed curler looked to be heading into the top corner of the goal but a stunning save from Pat Weaver kept the score at 0-0.
The score line changed moments later, Alex Head picked up a half cleared thrown in and worked his way into the box. He shifted the ball onto his right foot and stroked the ball into the bottom left corner.
It was nearly 2-0 with only a few seconds left of the first half, Lewis Ferguson whipped a right footed cross in, it looped over the goalkeeper and had to be cleared off the line by Taron Hare. It was a valuable clearance for Scunthorpe as Liam Mandeville was lurking like all good strikers do.
Half Time: Scunthorpe United U21's 0-1 Doncaster Rovers U21's
It took Rovers only six minutes to get their second, Mandeville's passion and pace was too hot to handle for Riley Baker whose miss-timed challenge in the box conceded a very silly penalty.
Nevertheless with Rovers manager Paul Dickov watching on, captain Harry Middleton stepped up and rifled the ball into the left side of the net sending goalkeeper Weaver the wrong way.
Sutton thought he pulled one back for Scunthorpe but his celebrations were cut short because Marosi somehow managed to tip his shot wide on any danger when it seemed at first look it was heading into the top corner of goal.
Ferguson continued to cause the Irons defence a problem, he played a superb ball back to Mandeville. The striker miss -cued his effort but it nearly lobbed Weaver but thankfully for him he tipped it over the bar.
From that resulting corner, Ferguson whipped the ball in and it was met by the head of Paul McKay, the towering centre half climbed well and his powerful effort was only just wide of the right post.
It was three on the 72nd minute, Head flicked on a loose ball in the midfield into the path of Mandeville whose dipping half volley beat the diving Weaver.
The last action of the game came from McKay, an in swinging free kick from Ferguson was met by the head of McKay again. His header like his previous chance ended up just missing the right post.
Full Time: Scunthorpe United U21's 0-3 Doncaster Rovers U21's
Team Lineups-
Scunthorpe United U21's XI: Weaver, Baker, Mosanya, Purdue, Hare, Cleminshaw (Off 39'), Sutton (c), Watkis (Off 69'), Burdett, Mawson, Hawkridge (Off 45').
Subs: Stockill (On 45'), Ledger, Shilling (On 69'), Oliver-Stothard (On 39').
Doncaster Rovers U21's XI: Marosi, Lund, Carberry, Head, P.McKay, Mbuti, McCormick (Off 74'), Middleton (c), Pugh (Off 83'), Mandeville, Ferguson.
Subs: Linley (On 74') McLaren, Greasley, Parkin (On 83') Jones.