Doncaster Rovers Under 18s began their Football League Alliance season with victory at Lincoln City.
Saturday, 17th August 2013 at Lincoln Christ’s Hospital School Ground, Lincoln
Football League Youth Alliance, North East Conference
On a dull cloudy morning, a stiff wind blowing across the pitch made it difficult to play good football but at least it kept the rain away.
However, both sides set about their task with some gusto. A fairly even first half saw few chances at goal although the Lincoln goalkeeper was far busier fielding the ball than McLaren in the Rovers goal. The best chances fell to the Rovers when centre half Askins went up for a free kick and got in a good header and later put another header following a corner wide.
The second half had a sensational start, which put the Rovers in control of the game. From the kick off they won a corner, which was placed to the far post for Askins to head back into the six-yard box where BURNYEAT was able to stab into the net.
Lincoln tried to hit back and came close to equalising in the 52nd minute when a terrific shot hit the underside of the bar and bounced back into play. The play then went down to the other end where the Rovers won a corner on their left. Ferguson put the ball into the middle where ASKINS bulleted a header into the net from about 12yards in the 53rd minute. The Rovers comfortably dealt with the opposition’s attempts to get back into the game and could have increased their lead in the 63rd minute when, from another corner by Ferguson hit low to the near post, Spencer Lund’s shot inside the post was blocked and put out for another corner.
The home team battled away to get something from the game but the Rovers were in command and ran out winners by two clear goals.
ROVERS team – Jack McLaren; Mitchell Lund, Jacob Dawson, Jack Steadman, Ben Askins, Scott Brown (c), Lewis Ferguson, Spencer Lund, Ryan Burnyeat, Callum Terrell, Billy Whitehouse
Subs used – Alex Head for Steadman 76 mins; Jack McKay for Terrell 79 mins;
Subs not used – Aaron Gordon, Liam Mandeville, Paul McKay