Final Third Development League Cup Preliminary Round Group A
Tuesday, 14th January 2014 at Cantley Park, Doncaster Referee – Mr M Foster
Rovers Reserves gained a creditable win over an experienced Shrewsbury Town side. It was good to see Jamie McCombe and Paul Keegan turn out after their injury problems, particularly McCombe for his first competitive match of the season, which is at the halfway stage.
Rovers got off to a great start, with PETERSON heading in at the near post in the 4th minute from a cross by Ferguson on the right. The home team had the better of the first twenty-five minutes, with Anyon called upon to save from Ferguson following good work by Middleton. McCombe showed he had not lost any of his nous with his long lay off by being in the thick of the action to keep the Shrews forwards at bay. In fact it was 26 minutes before Maxted had to make a save, from Parry, the most experienced man on the field. Then, twice in a minute on the half hour Maxted saved with his legs as the visitors had their best chances yet and they went on to dictate play to the break.
The home team started the second half well. A through ball from Keegan put Whincop through but a defender got to him and blocked his shot at the expense of a corner. In the 56th minute a corner from Keegan was headed over by McCombe. Both were then subbed, with a couple of the Youth team replacing them. Past the hour and Maxted was in action diving to his right to save from Parry. In the middle 15 minutes or so the visitors were very much on their mettle as regards their build-up but were foiled by steady defending as soon as they got within shooting range of goal. In the last ten minutes the Rovers pushed forward and in the 85th minute good work by Peterson on the right and a perceptive pass to MIDDLETON, who stabbed the ball into the net at the near post, made the win a certainty.
The result keeps the Rovers interested in the competition despite losing at Leicester City last month, with one match to play at Port Vale. Shrewsbury have lost twice, to Port Vale and Rovers, Leicester City have won twice against Rovers and Port Vale without losing a goal and Port Vale beat Shrewsbury Town but lost to Leicester City.
ROVERS Res –
Jonathan Maxted; Josh Meade, Liam Wakefield, JamieMcCombe, Evan Finnegan; Lewis Ferguson, Paul Keegan, Harry Middleton, Billy Whitehouse, Chris Whincop, Alex Peterson
Subs used – Scott Brown for McCombe 56 mins; Jack Steadman for Keegan 56 mins; Mitchell Lund for Whincop 66 mins;
Subs not used – Jacob Dawson, Jack McLaren gk
Shrewsbury Town –
Joe Anyon; George Carpenter, Dominic Smith, Alex McQuade, Jack Richards; Josh Ginnelly, Alex Fletcher, Asa Hall, Paul Parry, Tom Bradshaw, John Marsden Subs used – Ben Burton for Richards 55 mins; Niall Flint for Ginnelly 75 mins;
Subs not used – Niall Flint, Shaun Rowley