Goals galore at Cantley Park as Rovers Under 18’s put six past Burton to keep up their good form.
It was a brilliant display from the youth side as they ran riot over a very poor Burton Albion youth team. Liam Mandeville and Matthew Davies both managed to get on the score sheet twice, with Jack McKay and Ryan Wanless scoring late on to secure a very impressive victory.The game started off slowly with both sides desperately trying to work each other out, but it didn't take Rovers too long to pick off the side in yellow. A short corner by Matthew Davies was cleared by Burton straight back to Davies before he curled a left-footed shot into the top corner, giving goalkeeper Charlie Hornby no chance.
Rovers continued to pile on the pressure with two fantastic chances both coming down the right side; the first through Ben Greasley who flicked the ball on into the path of Davies who drilled a superb low cross to Jack McKay. With the goal at his mercy it was almost two for Rovers but Hornby saved smartly.
The second chance again came through Davies who nicely saw off two defenders and chipped the ball into the six yard box, the ball was met by the head of Liam Mandeville but his powerful header was directly at the goalkeeper.
Aron Gordon should have scored when he broke free of the Burton defence. The winger sprinted through one-on-one with the goalkeeper and he was about to apply the finish when out of nowhere Brad Smith produced a quality block tackle to deny Gordon.
The home side did eventually double their lead. A poor kick out by Hornby was picked up by Davies who played a left footed through ball to Mandeville, the striker had plenty of time to think about his shot and easily passed it into the bottom right corner.
Burton stepped up the pace in the last 15 minutes of the half, and unfortunately for Rovers their well earned lead was halved. A cross by Sam Austin was only half cleared by the Doncaster defence and Mirza Sedjic caught the ball on the half-volley and it flashed past goalkeeper Jack McLaren.
Half Time: Doncaster Rovers U18's 2-1 Burton Albion U18's
Rovers were quick out of the block in the second half and it took them less than three minutes to add to their tally. Some fantastic team play produced an opening for Mandeville who curled the ball into the bottom corner.
The Brewers were lucky not to be reduced to 10 men after midfielder Mark Shelton's horrendous challenge went unpunished from referee Mr. Andrews.
Another lazy clearance from the Burton defence was capitalized on by Alex Head, his chipped through ball to Matthew Davies was expertly placed through the goalkeepers legs to make it 4-1 to the good.
Albion's day went from bad to worse, after using all their substitutions defender Jack O'brien was forced to leave the field with a knee injury and Burton were reduced to 10.
Two goals in four minutes killed off the visitors. Davies again exploited the defence by running freely down the right wing. His deflected effort fell into the path of Ryan Wanless who slotted the ball into the bottom corner past a stranded Hornby.
Rovers made it six when another mix up in the Brewers defence saw the ball be passed directly to Mandeville who put McKay through. With just the keeper to beat, he opened his body up and stroked the ball into the back of the net.
Full Time: Doncaster Rovers U18's 6-1 Burton Albion U18's
Rovers Starting XI: McLaren, Greasley, Carberry (Barker- 71), Head (Parkin- 75), McKay P (C), Mbuti, Davies, Linley, McKay J, Mandeville, Gordon.
Rovers Unused Subs: Iveson, Wanless, Longbottom.
Burton Starting XI: Hornby, Smith (Hunt- 54), Troke (Hallahan 54), Fox, O'Brien, Gatter (C), Austin, Shelton, Coggins, Dinanga, Sedjic (Shaw- 56).