McKay birthday goal gifts Rovers progression.
Doncaster Rovers- 4 (Mandeville- 11, 80, Gordon-41, J.McKay- 90+3)Peterborough- 2 (Friend- 38, Edwards- 70)
Keepmoat Stadium
Wednesday 19th November
FA Youth Cup, Round 2
Jack McKay capped Doncaster Rovers U18's commanding performance over Peterborough with a last minute goal to top off his eighteenth birthday celebrations.
The striker, who made his first team debut against Sheffield United at the weekend, celebrated in stlye when he notched late on after goals from Liam Mandeville (two) and Aron Gordon.
Paul Stancliffe’s side were looking to follow Paul Dickov’s first team victory in Weston-super-Mare and advance in the FA Cup.
Peterborough had the better of the early exchanges but neither side tested the opposition goalkeeper in the opening ten minutes.
On 11 minutes Liam Mandeville broke the deadlock and gave the home side the lead. A long ball forward was flicked on by Jack McKay, releasing Mandeville who nicely finished into the bottom corner, leaving the Peterborough defence to stand and watch.
The visitors had little by way of chances in the opening half hour; Liam Marshall curled a free kick over Jack McLaren’s crossbar, but they found an equaliser on 38 minutes as McLaren fumbled a cross from Oliver Luto, allowing Jack Friend to head in from close range.
The hosts looked to respond straight away and Dion Curtis-Henry did well to deny Alex head as he saw his shot from the edge of the area tipped behind for a corner.
A minute later Rovers did get themselves back in front as Mandeville delivered a deep ball in to the back post, which was met by Aron Gordon for a tap in.
Jonathan Edwards was then denied by McLaren, as he saved a long range shot before the referee blew for half time.
Half Time score: Rovers 2-1 Peterborough
On 57 minutes, The Posh were appealing for a penalty as Friend looked to be brought down but the referee ignored all protests and waved play on.
A stunning double save from McLaren denied Peterborough another goal; the first kept a Friend free kick out and the second prevented Edwards from putting in the rebound six yards out.
The visitors found their second as Edwards got on the end of a Luto corner to head home.
With ten minutes to play Rovers took the lead for a third time; Head whipped in a dangerous free kick and a great header from Mandeville found the bottom corner.
The Posh pressed for an equaliser, but in throwing everyone forward left space at the back. Jack McKay put the icing on the cake for Rovers when he added a fourth in the 93rd minute.
Breaking from a Peterborough corner, McKay found himself in space and stylishly lifted the ball over Curtis-Henry to seal the victory for Stancliffe’s side.
Rovers Under 18’s will now face Norwich City at the Keepmoat Stadium in the third round.
Team details -
Rovers: Jack McLaren, Ben Greasley, Michael Carberry, Alex Head, Paul McKay ©, Matty Davies (Matthew Parkin- 64), Jack McKay, Liam Mandeville (Will Longbottom-90+4), Aron Gordon, Jordan Linley, Connor Williamson
Subs not used- Jonathan Iveson, Reece Fielding, Joshua Barker
Peterborough: Dion Curtis-Henry, Harry Anderson, Oliver Luto, Keano Robinson, James Ward, Liam Marshall ©, Ben Keating, Joseph Hood (Leonardo Da-Silva-Lopes- 85), Jonathan Edwards, Jack Friend, Tye Phillips
Subs not used- Henrich Ravas, Ethan Lee, Oliver Humphrey, Michael Ford
Attendance- 214