Doncaster Rovers Under 18’s unbeaten run comes to an end as Bradford take three points at Cantley Park.
Doncaster Rovers- 1 (Mandeville 56)Bradford City- 2 (Chippendale 55, 82)
Cantley Park, Doncaster
Saturday 11th October
North East Youth Alliance League
A late penalty denied Rovers youth team a point at Cantley Park against Yorkshire rivals Bradford, as their unbeaten run comes to an end.
Rovers started the game brightly and enjoyed early possession in the Bradford half. Aaron Gordon caused problems down the left with his pace and created Rovers first chance as he switched the ball to Davies on the right. The midfielder cut the ball back for Brown on the edge of the area whose shot fired just over the bar.
Minutes later Jack McKay looked to be through on goal, seeing the Bradford goalkeeper off his line he tried his luck from the edge of the area but Barker saved the shot.
Bradford youngsters grew into the game and enjoyed more possession midway through the first half. Callum Chippendale picked up a loose ball in the Rovers area and forced a good save from Iveson to deny the striker.
On the half hour mark Matty Davies broke free down the right, driving into the box he passed the ball across the face of goal but it was cleared off the line by the Bradford defence.
Rovers didn’t go without their chances in the first half, but the Bradford defence had to be credited who kept things tight to deny the home side.
Bradford started the second half strongly, in the early minutes Chippendale dispossessed Head in midfield and released a shot on the edge of the area but it went inches wide of Iveson’s post.
On 55 minutes Bradford got the breakthrough as Chippendale met a low cross with a fantastic first time volley, leaving Iveson with no chance.
However, the visitor’s lead was short lived. Just 30 seconds later Gordon crossed a ball in from the left, which was met by Mandeville who calmly volleyed the ball into the bottom corner from close range.
As the tempo of the game changed with both sides threatening, it looked as though it could go either way. Chippendale continued to cause problems up front for the visitors and looked a danger going forward, forcing a number of late saves from Iveson.
On 82 minutes Bradford were awarded a controversial penalty by the referee. Chippendale delivered a free kick into the box and as Trialist rose for a defensive header to clear the ball, the referee pointed to the spot.
Callum Chippendale was there again to confidently step up and convert the spot kick giving Bradford the lead. Rovers pushed forward in the remaining five minutes of the game but couldn’t find the equaliser to maintain their unbeaten run and fell to their first defeat of the season.
Team details -
Rovers: Iveson, Brown, Carberry, Head, P.McKay, Trialist, Davies, Linley, J.McKay (Wanless 75), Mandeville, Gordon (Parkin 65)
Subs not used – Barker, Colley, Williamson
Cautions- Davies, Trialist
Bradford: Barker, Jenkinson, Kershaw, King, Waters, McBurnie (Mellor 75), Mottley Henry, Devine, Chippendale, Cissa (Landi 75), Brennan
Subs not used – Hallwood, Windle