Youngsters caught out deep in to injury time.
York City U18s – 2 (McNaughton 68’; Thompson 90’)Doncaster Rovers U18s – 2 (Boocock 32’, 70’)
Monday 4th April 2016, 11:00am
Wiggington Road Training Ground, York
Youth Alliance League
A young inexperienced Rovers side held their own in a Youth Alliance League game against Yorkshire rivals York City. Youth academy boss Paul Wilson named a youth side that have hardly featured in the U18s league this season however they drew 2-2 in a difficult away trip.
Rovers started on the front foot with them forcing a handful of corners inside the first 10 minutes, a whipped set piece from Rieves Boocock was punched away by York goalkeeper Kieran Price, and the ball fell to Jock Curran who flashed his effort over the crossbar.
Seven minutes later Boocock found himself on the end of a clipped ball over the top by full back Kane Bingley, the striker took the ball in his stride and thrashed an effort towards goal, unfortunately for Rovers, Price was there to keep the game goalless.
The visitors finally took the lead on the 32nd minute thanks to Boocock. Forward Matty Overton did superbly well to close down a defender before winning the ball back; he then laid the ball back to Boocock who had the relatively easy job of passing the ball into an empty net.
Half-time: York City U18s 0-1 Doncaster Rovers U18s
It was a fast paced start to the second half by the hosts with them nearly pulling level seven minutes after the break, a corner to the back post by Josh Berry was headed wide by Zac Lawrence.
Rovers should have doubled their lead on the 61st minute, it was impressive build up play once again by Overton and Boocock but a last minute challenge from Josh Rogerson kept the visitors at bay.
York came back with a vengeance after that as four minutes later they rattled the post; winger Gabby McGill took aim from 20-yards before unleashing an effort that struck that post which ended up with a goal kick to the visitors.
Their pressure finally paid off in the 68th minute, a long ball over the top was picked up by Flynn McNaughton who raced through the Rovers defence to finish smartly past James Leverton.
However Wilson’s men were not level for long as they regained the lead two minutes later; Overton once again chased down a short back pass to the York goalkeeper who blasted the ball against the onrushing striker and the bounce fell at the feet of Boocock who tapped in for the second time in the game.
Rovers were made to pay though as they conceded a 90th minute equalise. A ball through the middle was not dealt with by the visitors and substitute Harry Thompson ran through unchallenged to slot past Leverton.
Full-time: York City U18s 2-2 Doncaster Rovers U18s
YCFC STARTING XI: Price, McMillian, Lawrence, Haswell, Rogerson, Kemp, Atkinson, Berry, McGill (Thompson 67’), McNaughton, Jackson.
YCFC SUBS NOT USED: Hartley, Leeming, Britton.
DRFC STARTING XI: Leverton, Bingley, Horton, James, Barker (C), Townrow, Cullen (Harrison 72’), Hillam (O’Connor 79’), Overton, Boocock, Prior.
DRFC SUBS NOT USED: Jones, Sanderson, De Rosa.