Rovers U18s gain a valuable point against an unbeaten Scunthorpe United side
Doncaster Rovers U18s - 0
Scunthorpe United U18s - 0
Saturday 19th September 2015, 11:00am
Cantley Park Training Ground, Doncaster
Youth Alliance League
Rovers came into this game on the back of a 4-1 away defeat to Yorkshire rivals Bradford City, while the visitors were yet to be defeated in the Youth Alliance League.
The home side started the game brightly with midfielder Matthew Parkin driving into the Scunthorpe half, he decided to unleash a right-footed effort from 25-yards out but his shot was wide of Ben Ledger's right post.
Just before the half an hour mark, the hosts were up in arms claiming for two penalties but the man in the middle was having none of it. The first appeal was for a handball that seemed to strike the arm of the defender who was tracking back, the second and the strongest of the two claims was for a slide tackle on Joey McCormick in the box, Lewis McMichael was adjudged to have played the ball and not the man.
It was McCormick again who was involved in the next attack, he played a defence splitting pass to Michael Carberry who put in a superb left-footed cross to the front post where Joe Pugh was waiting, the striker rose like a salmon to get his head to the ball but he sent his effort wide of the left post. An opportunity that should have been taken.
Two minutes before the half time whistle Scunthorpe were reduced to 10-men, midfielder Matt Stockill was given his marching orders by the referee after two bookable offences.
HT: Doncaster Rovers U18s 0-0 Scunthorpe United U18s
With the words of Paul Wilson still ringing in the players ears, they came out and were straight onto the attack. McCormick carried the ball 25-yards before deciding to have a go at goal but his effort sailed over the crossbar.
A set piece from Parkin on the hour mark was nearly converted by Reece Fielding, a lovely clipped ball over the top of the defence was met on the half volley by the defender but a last ditch challenge from Sonny Sinlling kept the score line level.
On the 68th minute Rovers should have taken the lead, a pinpoint cross from Carberry was met by the diving head of Greasley who headed it just wide of the right post.
The hosts continued to knock on Scunthorpe's door and it was another set piece from Parkin that caused the visiting defence some trouble, his lofted pass was directed to the back post where Pugh was situated but his chipped effort was easily collected by the goalkeeper.
Rovers had one last effort in the dying moments of the game, a big punt in the box by Parkin was met superbly in a crowded box by Fielding who was up from the back but he unfortunately could not find the back of the Scunthorpe net.
FT: Doncaster Rovers U18s 0-0 Scunthorpe United U18s
DRFC STARTING XI: Iveson, Greasley, Carberry, Williamson (C), Mbuti, Fielding, Parkin, Hill (Morris 78'), Pugh, McCormick, Barker.
DRFC SUBS NOT USED: Jones, Slater, Townrow.
SUFC STARTING XI: Ledger, McMichael, Sinlling, Dean-Atkinson, Baker, Butroid, Barmby (Hornshaw 66'), Stockill, Dyche, Burdett (Sitilocke 71'), Ebraheem.
SUFC SUBS NOT USED: Sackey, Parker.
CAUTIONS:
Stockill - SUFC - RED
Hill - DRFC - YELLOW
Carberry - DRFC - YELLOW