Paul Stancliffe's U18s are beaten by Burton Albion U18s but stay top of the table despite that defeat.
Tuesday, 12th March 2013 at Cantley Park, Doncaster
Football League Youth Alliance North East Conference
DONCASTER ROVERS Yth 0 Burton Albion Yth 2
Referee – Mr U Ahmed
Rovers Youth team entertained their counterparts from Burton Albion, who are in mid-table, in a re-arranged match on a bitterly cold afternoon; surprisingly Paul Stancliffe’s side slumped to defeat by two goals to nil. This result has handed the initiative to Hull City in the race for the division Championship. Rovers are still two points clear at the top, but Hull City now have two games in hand.
Burton Albion, no doubt buoyed up by a 7-1 win at Hartlepool on Saturday, gave Rovers no time on the ball and upset their rhythm in the first half.
The first 45 was practically devoid of any goalmouth action until minutes before the break when Billy Whitehouse shot from the left, Sam Hornby in the Burton goal spilled the ball but Lewis Ferguson couldn’t get to the loose ball. On the whole the visitors had had the better of the first half possession.
The second half was only four minutes old when Burton won a corner on their left, which was taken short to Devarn Patterson he crossed to the far post where Leandro BROWNE headed the ball down from a couple of yards out.
The header wasn’t very powerful however it deflected off of a Rovers body as Callum Myers went down to collect, and rolled over the goal-line. A fortuitous goal but it put the onus now on the Rovers to press forward.
Rovers managed to do this, with Jordan Binns heading over from a corner and Harry Middleton had a shot blocked soon after. Alex Peterson worked hard up front, holding the ball up and trying hard to get in a shot for himself from time to time. But the Burton defence held firm.
Past the hour Burton’s Harry Austin came through from the back to hit a rasping shot from 25 yards, Myers in the Rovers goal was equal to it and saved well.
Back came the Rovers with a shot hitting the bar and cleared by the Burton defence before Chris Whincop had an excellent shot well saved.
A further blow to the Rovers came in the 73rd minute when a Joe DOYLE shot squirmed past Myers and just over the goal-line for a second goal. Rovers pressed to the end but could not find the net, Burton, who had not particularly played well, took the points.
Teams – Rovers Youth – Callum Myers; Mitchell Lund, Evan Finnegan, Harry Middleton ©, Jordan Binns, Scott Brown, Lewis Ferguson, Joshua Meade, Alex Peterson, Chris Whincop, Billy Whitehouse
Subs used – Spencer Lund for Finnegan 19 mins; Callum Terrell for Ferguson 62 mins;
Sub not used – Jacob Dawson
Burton Albion Youth – Sam Hornby; Kyle O’Mahoney, Billy Bennett, Liam Slade, Harry Austin, Isaac Currie, Joe Doyle, Matt Palmer, Devarn Patterson, Mark Shelton, Leandro Browne
Subs used – Ashley Thorpe for Shelton 19 mins; Marcus Harness for Currie 46 mins; Ben Cowdrill for Palmer 65 mins;
Subs not used – Ben Markal, Matt Murfin