Rovers U18s continue their push for the North East Youth Division top spot by seeing off champions Mansfield Town in a comprehensive 1-3 victory away from home.
The encounter was tough and scrappy with emotions running high throughout. This, along with the astroturf pitch, posed many obstacles for Rovers to overcome which they did in euphoric style thanks to goals from Marius Conradi, Rieves Boocock and Branden Horton.
Mansfield made it difficult for Rovers by taking the lead within ten-minuets as Rhys Sarson made amends for missing two earlier chances by stroking the ball past Dec Ogley.
Mansfield almost doubled their lead when battling play from the hosts resulted in Jimmy Knowles breaking free and laying the ball off to Sarson. Sarson rounded Ogley but Cameron Baldock-Smith made a perfectly-timed challenge to clear the pending danger.
Branden Horton found plenty of the space on the left and delivered a swinging ball into the box which was inches from finding the foot of the Rovers’ attackers who fled forwards.
The left was where Rovers continued to get joy. Jack Watson skidded across the area to float the ball into the box where Rieves Boocock headed goalward only to see his effort denied.
Before half-time, Rovers pulled level against the run of play as Horton fed Marius Conradi who lashed it into the bottom left corner.
Boocock had an early attempt after the interval. His effort was deflected for a corner which was swung in finding Cameron Barnett fly wide. Barnett saw his effort fly wide.
Mansfield attacker Riley O’Sullivan was left red-faced when his shot was scuffed wide after he broke through on goal and looked certain to score.
During the final ten-minutes of the game, Rovers produced two scintillating strikes to ensure they left with all three points.
The first came from Boocock who found the top corner after some great attacking play by Stancliffe’s side. Moments later Horton cut in from the left and shot a rocket into the top right corner.
Paul Stancliffe’s side now sit three points off the top with a game in hand in a tightly contested North East Youth Division.
Rovers will return to the Keepmoat Stadium on February 9 when they face Peterborough in Sky Bet League One. Tickets for this fixture can be purchased from the Club Doncaster Box Office, on 01302 762576 or at tickets.clubdoncaster.co.uk.