A spirited comeback from Rob Jones' men in the second half nearly saw Rovers run out with the all important victory.
Rotherham United U21- 2 (Yates 4' , Clarke-Harris 37')Doncaster Rovers U21- 2 (Whitehouse 41' , Davies 55')
Wednesday 18th February, 2015
Final Third Development League
It wasn’t the best of starts for Rovers as Rotherham took the lead inside four minutes, a lobbed ball over the top of the defence by Mason Warren landed in the path of Jerry Yates who unleashed an unstoppable drive into the bottom left corner of Marko Marosi's goal.
Unfortunately for Rovers the Millers continued their early dominance, but for Marosi the home side would have been 2-0 up. Adam Hammill broke free of the Rovers defence and with the goalkeeper to beat a great one-on-one save by Marosi denied the striker.
Matthew Davies picked the ball up on the halfway line and he decided to take the game that was getting away from his side by the scruff of the neck. A superb piece of individual play saw Davies dance his way through the defence and his effort forced Tony Thompson in the Rotherham goal to make a smart save.
Rovers eventually grew into the game and they nearly pulled level on the 25th minute, a cross from the right by Billy Whitehouse was directed to the back post towards Davies who tried an audacious overhead kick.
Davies did however flick the ball to Liam Mandeville and finding space in the six yard box, the number 10 saw his powerful effort saved by the feet of Tony Thompson.
The hosts extended their lead through Jonson Clarke-Harris, a corner by Bradley Peace-McDonald was headed back into the danger zone by Danny Rowe and there was Clarke-Harris to nod it past the stranded Marosi.
Rob Jones’ men were not going to go down without a fight, a quick throw in by Mitchell Lund to Whitehouse saw the 18 year old wriggle free of the defenders and slot his effort past the onrushing Thompson.
Half Time Rotherham United U21's 2-1 Doncaster Rovers U21's
With the words of Rob Jones ringing in the players ears, it was Rovers who produced the first bit of brilliance which lead to them pulling level in the game.
Some superb one-two play between Whitehouse and Davies saw the ball returned to Whitehouse, he produced a stunning drilled low effort back to Davies who had the whole of the net to poke the ball in too.
A brilliant team goal to bring Rovers back level.
Doncaster continued to dominate in the second half and they were so close to taking the lead through Lewis Ferguson, he picked the ball up inside the Rotherham half and a superb piece of individual play saw the youngsters shot rebound of the post and clear of any danger.
Rovers had the last chance of the game and it really should have been converted. Mandeville passed it to Whitehouse and his cross was sprayed across the six yard box but there was no-one there to apply the finish.
Full Time Rotherham United U21's 2-2 Doncaster Rovers U21's
Team Lineups-
Rotherham Starting XI: Thompson, Gibson (Lucas 15'), Warren, Newton, Rowe (C), Wood, Bowery, Wiles (Peace-McDonald 10’), Clarke-Harris, Yates, Hammill (Bailey-King 65').
Unused Subs: Denton, Norfolk, Fenton.
Doncaster Rovers Starting XI: Marosi, Lund, Evina, Head, Jones, Wakefiled, Whitehouse, Middleton (Gordon 54'), Ferguson, Mandeville, Davies (Askins 84').
Unused Subs: Carberry, McLaren, Linley