U21’s earn 2-0 victory over Hull at North Ferriby
Hull City- 0Doncaster Rovers- 2 (P.McKay 18' Middleton 90')
North Ferriby, Hull
Tuesday 28th October
Final Third Development League
A confident performance from Rovers youngsters saw Rob Jones’ U21 Doncaster side defeat Hull City.
The first chance of the game fell to the away side as Aron Gordon broke well down the left and passed to Liam Mandeville in the box. His lay off to Billy Whitehouse set up the shot but his effort went just over the bar.
Rovers had the better of the opening exchanges, with Mandeville and Gordon looking particularly lively but it was Alex Peterson who had the best chance to put the visitors ahead. City defender Ben Clappison took his time in the area allowing Peterson to dispossess him- finding himself one on one with the ‘keeper the striker saw his shot rebound off the post and go behind for a goal kick.
Hull settled themselves and showed a lot of pace in their front line. Jonathan Margetts was presented with a chance as he went through on goal, but he dragged his shot wide of the post and Marko Marosi was untroubled.
As the game approached 20 minutes, Captain Harry Middleton’s pin-point cross found Peterson who headed the ball across the face of goal and defender Paul McKay was there to apply the finish from six yards.
Hull enjoyed spells of possession but lacked quality in the final third as Rovers back line, led by Liam Wakefield, held firm.
Neat play from Peterson put Whitehouse through on 30 minutes, but the midfielder saw his strike blocked by the Hull defence, as it looked to be heading for the top corner. Rovers went in at half time a goal up.
Half time: Hull City 0-1 Doncaster Rovers
Looking to find an equaliser, Hull showed their quality in the middle of the park and enjoyed more possession but the Rovers defence was never really threatened.
Rovers had a chance to double their lead as a burst of pace from Middleton in midfield saw him skip past the Hull defence and get his shot away. Rory Watson looked beaten but was relieved to see the shot go just wide of his right post.
Matty Davies had half a chance as he picked up the ball and tried his luck from 25 yards. His shot was struck hard and low but it was well saved by Watson who tipped it behind for a corner.
Hull’s frustration started to show as they looked to find a way back into the match.
As the game drew to a close, the home side threw bodies forward in an attempt to find an equaliser. Johan Ter Horst met a cross with his head and looked certain to score, but somehow Marosi kept the ball out with his feet. A goal line scramble saw Marosi make another great save with his fingertips and eventually Rovers cleared their lines.
With a minute left to play Tigers forward Calaum Jahraldo- Martin burst through the Rovers defence to find himself one on one with Marosi but the young Rovers keeper was quickly off his line to deny the striker once again.
With numbers forward for Hull, Rovers broke and it was Middleton who sealed the win for the away side. Picking up the ball in the corner of the box, the Rovers captain cut inside and found space to shoot. His effort found the top corner, leaving Watson with no chance.
On that the referee blew for full time and brought the game to a close, giving Rovers U21 side their second win of the season.
Team details -
Hull: Rory Watson, Sam Topliss, Leon Dawson, Ben Clappison, Aaron Oakley, Eoghan McCawl, Ryan Fallowfield (Matthew Dixon, 69), John Mahon (Josh Clackstone, 81), Jonathan Margetts (Ben Hinchliffe, 35), Johan Ter Horst, Calaum Jahraldo Martin
Subs not used – Joe Cracknell, Max Clark
Cautions- McCawl, Fallowfield
Rovers: Marco Marosi, Mitchell Lund, Michael Carberry, Alex Head (Jordan Linley, 68), Liam Wakefield, Paul McKay, Billy Whitehouse, Harry Middleton ©, Alex Peterson, Liam Mandeville (Jack McKay, 85), Aron Gordon (Matty Davies, 45)
Subs not used – Scott Brown, Ben Greasley