Rob Jones’ Under 21 side record another victory as they continue to push for the top place in the Final Third Development League.
Burton - 0Rovers - 2 (Middleton- 66' , Davies- 73' )
St George's Park, Burton
Wednesday 25th February, 2015
Final Third Development League
Two goals in five minutes secured victory for Doncaster Rovers Development side at St George’s Park, Burton.
Club captain and U21 head coach Rob Jones got another 90 minutes under his belt, whilst first team player Cedric Evina also featured in the starting eleven.
It was a lively start for Rovers who certainly enjoyed the better of the possession. Passing the ball around nicely they had Burton on the back foot, however failed to test Burton goalkeeper Sam Hornby.
The visitors first real chance came through Whitehouse as he picked up the ball on the right before cutting inside to shoot with his weaker foot. His shot was struck cleanly but was straight at Hornby who saved with ease.
On 15 minutes a rare mistake from skipper Harry Middleton almost gifted the home side the lead. With Middleton losing possession in his own half, Mark Shelton found himself through one on one with Rovers keeper Marko Marosi, however the striker was denied by a fantastic last minute sliding tackle from Rob Jones.
It was Hornby who was called into action next. This time Rovers winger Matty Davies released a fierce strike with his left foot forcing the Burton stopper to make a smart save. Cedric Evina went close with the rebound, but saw his effort deflected wide.
Burton’s best chance of the half came just before the half time whistle, having won a free kick 20 yards out. Jimmy Phillips stepped up but the Rovers wall did a job and denied him the opener.
The teams went in level at the break.
Half Time: Burton U21's 0-0 Doncaster Rovers U21’s
At half time Rob Jones urged the youngsters to play with more urgency on the ball and get the opener, which they did.
Billy Whitehouse showed his potential and caused problems down the right with a surging run from inside his own half. Unfortunately his effort came to nothing.
Approaching the hour mark Davies went close again. Lewis Ferguson weaved his way into the area before cutting the ball back to the winger who forced another great save from Hornby.
Rovers were pressuring and it was only a matter of time before they got the opener.
Liam Mandeville continued to keep Hornby busy as Whitehouse played him through one on one. With just the keeper to beat he tried the lob which somehow Hornby got his fingertips too.
Minutes later the South Yorkshire side got the breakthrough they deserved.
Some lovely play from Mandeville saw him round a defender in the box before cutting the ball back to Middleton who made no mistake in side footing the ball home from the penalty spot.
Just over five minutes later Rovers doubled their lead. Davies made a great run through midfield before finding himself one on one with Hornby. The pacey winger kept his nerve and beautifully slotted the ball into the back of the net.
From here there was no way back for the home side. Ferguson came close to making it 3-0 with a curling free kick on 88 minutes, only to see it hit the side netting.
The referee blew for full time and in the end it was a convincing victory for Rovers.
Full Time: Burton U21's 2-0 Doncaster Rovers U21’s
Burton Starting XI: Sam Hornby, Joe Doyle, Chris Richards, Jack Hallahan (Brad Caggins 41’), Charlie Catter, Brad Smith, Sam Austin, Ben Fox, Marcus Dinanga, Mark Shelton, Jimmy Phillips
Unused Subs: Charlie Hornby, Ash Thorpe, Matt Murphin, Mirsa Sejdic
Cautions: Jimmy Phillips- 80'
Rovers Starting XI: Marko Marosi, Mitchell Lund, Cedric Evina (Ben Greasley 87’), Jordan Linley, Rob Jones, Josh Yorwerth, Billy Whitehouse, Harry Middleton, Liam Mandeville (Joseph McCormick 71’), Lewis Ferguson, Matthew Davies (Aron Gordon 75’)
Unused Subs: Jack McLaren, Kevin Mbuti