Despite a goal from Jack Goodman Rovers U18s were defeated by Lincoln City in the youth teams first league game in over a month.
Academy manager Tony Cook took charge of the U18s for the first time on an interim basis while Gary McSheffrey takes caretaker charge of the first-team.
Cook named a young side for the U18s with no second year scholars named in the squad. Ben Bottomley started in goal as an U19 to gain valuable match experience, which is permitted by the EFL. The shot stopper put in an assured performance – particularly during the first half.
In that period he had plenty of shots come his way which he managed to keep out. The goalkeeper also showed the skill he had with his feet.
Putting in a solid performance in front of him was captain Jak Whiting who played a vocal and physical role throughout the 90 minutes and led by example.
Rovers took the lead on the 25th minute after Alex Fletcher floated a ball into the box which was flicked on by the head of Max Adamson and allowed for Jack Goodman to tap-in at the far post.
Fletcher would later have a shout for a penalty turned down after their left back fouled the wing back but referee Sam Clayton waved away the appeals.
Kyrell Wheatley moved positions into central midfield and was allowed pockets of space which momentarily caused Rovers problems.
In the second half the weather conditions deteriorated badly as hail, rain and wind hammered down on Club Doncaster Sports Park. Not only did the weather conditions worsen, but so did the tempers with Wheatley almost getting himself sent off for a rash challenge on Will Flint.
Before that incident, Lincoln equalised after the ball bounced off Rovers’ wall from a free kick and it fell kindly to their attacker who brought the game back on level terms.
Over the course of the second half Cook introduced U16s Harry Wood, Justin Bennett and Will Green as well as first year scholars Jack Raper and Ethan Harrison – the latter made his first appearance since recovering from injury and illness.
The Imps took the lead after cutting in from the right and bent the ball in off the left hand side post.
Rovers’ biggest chance of the half came after conceding when Wood’s powerful shot was saved by Sam Green.
The U18s next game is away to Mansfield Town on Saturday December 18.