Ruthless Notts County fire four past a young Rovers side.
Notts County - 4 (De Silva 14’, Murray 29’, Spencer 50’, Snijders 53')Doncaster Rovers - 0
Tuesday 12th January, 2016
Meadow Lane, Nottingham
Final Third Development League
It was a cold and wet afternoon at Meadow Lane. Rob Jones fielded a young side to take on Notts County, with Dany N’Guessan being the only first team member to feature.
County started the game well and put Rovers on the back foot from the start. Marko Marosi was called into action when Jimmy Spencer was picked out by Snijders unmarked in the box. His free header at goal was well saved by Marosi.
Rovers first attack at goal came through Billy Whitehouse as quick feet from him allowed him to lose the defender. Breaking into the box his heels were clipped and a free kick was given just outside. Whitehouse stepped up but his effort was over the bar.
Minutes later the home side took the lead. Lartey Sarpong whipped in a cross from the left which found Kyle De Silva free in the box. The midfielder brilliantly opened his body and volleyed the ball home.
As first team manager Darren Ferguson watched from the stands, Notts County doubled their lead and started to take control.
As the ball was played wide to Snijders, he brilliantly volleyed it across the box first time for Ronan Murray to head in leaving Marosi with no chance.
Things almost went from bad to worse for Rob Jones’ side as Murray again found himself unmarked in the box. As the ball was played to him he hit it first time but his effort crashed against the cross bar. Snijders headed the follow up at goal but a good save from Marosi denied him.
HALF TIME: Notts County 2-0 Rovers
The second half didn’t start as Rovers would have liked as Notts County scored two more goals in the space of ten minutes to lead 4-0.
The first came as Jimmy Spencer broke through the young Rovers defence and with plenty of time to pick his spot, the striker smashed the ball into the bottom corner.
Just three minutes later County were in again as Spencer’s lobbed pass found Snijders, in on goal he also nicely finished past the Rovers keeper.
Despite being behind Rovers started to enjoy more possession. Scott Loach was forced into a save when Whitehouse struck at goal and with Longbottom at full stretch for the rebound he was unlucky as it came back off the post.
Rovers pressured, Jordan Linley was having an excellent game in midfield but they were unable to find a way past the Notts County back line and really test Scott Loach.
County had another brilliant chance right at the death as they found themselves three on two with the Rovers defence. With options in the box Montel Gibson instead went for the shot allowing Marosi to make the save.
FULL TIME: Notts County 4-0 Rovers
Team Lineups-
County: Loach, Wildin, Sharpe, Sarpong (Rutty-Smith 80’), Amevor (Aghatise 59’), McKenzie, De Silva, Valencic, Spencer (Gibson 59’), Murray (Bishop 45’), Snijders
Unused Subs: Searson-Smithard
Rovers: Marosi, Carberry (Wanless 80’), Fielding, Walker (Barker 45’), M’Buti, Williamson, Davies,Ginley ©, N’Guessen, Longbottom (Henderson 85’), Whitehouse
Unused Subs: Jones