Rovers U18s are in FA Youth Cup action on Tuesday November 16 as Rotherham United visit the Keepmoat Stadium in round two of the competition.
Both sides have already met this season. Rovers comfortably beat the Millers 2-0 away from home in the EFL North East Youth Alliance League. Goals that day came courtesy of Jack Raper and Owen Scattergood.
Form guide
Rovers are in excellent form at the minute, having beaten category one side Leicester City 2-1 at the weekend. Rovers went 1-0 down but goals from Michael Nesbitt and Jack Goodman got Gary McSheffrey’s side the victory.
In the league, Rotherham have one in five and lost the other four which has seen them fall from first place to fourth. To get to the second round of the FA Youth Cup, the Millers beat Boldmere St. Michaels at the AESSEAL New York Stadium 3-0.
Rovers have won four of their last fives games, which included the 2-1 victory over Basford United to make it to this stage of the competition.
Players to watch – Rotherham
Alfie Burnett (goalkeeper)
The 19-year-old is eligible to play for the U18s under current EFL rules and has shown his quality already in Rovers’ 2-0 win in October. He kept the score line respectable. He also kept a clean sheet in Rotherham’s first round FA Youth Cup victory vs Boldmere.
Ciaran McGuckin (forward)
Northern Irish striker McGuckin has enjoyed a positive start to his time in Rotherham’s U18s. He can hold the ball up well. The first year scholar featured in Rotherham’s FA Youth Cup defeat to Arsenal last season.
Players to watch – Rovers
Luke Chadwick (second year goalkeeper)
The tall goalkeeper certainly has a physical and vocal presence within Rovers U18s squad. He has sporadically featured for the youth team this season due to him spending time on loan at Staveley Miners Welfare. In his initial month loan, he impressed so much that manager Brett Marshall has kept hold of the shot stopper for longer. In seven games he has kept four clean sheets.
Dan Wilds (second year centre back/midfielder)
Captain Wilds leads by example in the team with his professional approach to all games. He is versatile and can play at centre half or as a deep lying central midfielder. He looks comfortable and assured in both positions and is not afraid to put his body on the line.
Will Hollings (second year midfielder/right back)
The technically gifted midfielder can cause problems for the opposition with his vision to create excellent passes, which he has been rewarded with through assists this season. He can also operate as a right back or right wing back and has picked up assists from those positions with stinging runs down the channel.
Jack Goodman (first year forward)
The forward is in his first year of his scholarship with Rovers. He is Rovers U18s top goalscorer across all competitions with seven goals to his name. His hold up play is excellent and is a clinical finisher.
What they are saying
Read what Academy manager Tony Cook had to say ahead of the game by clicking here.
Tickets
Tickets are available to be purchased from Club Doncaster Box Office. Alternatively, you can pay on the gate through turnstiles 17-19 in the Mech FS West Stand.