Football League Youth Alliance
Saturday 12th October 2019
As football matches go, this was straightforward and comfortable for Doncaster Rovers as they eased to a 4-0 win over Huddersfield Town at Cantley Park.
In a dominant performance, Junior Smith bagged twice and Will McGowan curled in a shot as the lads were three goals to the good at half-time, before Smith completed his hat-trick in the closing stages.
Other positives which emerged from the run-out were Charlie Bell's 'grab things by the scruff of the neck' display in the centre of the park - undoubtedly his best so far this season, and a first clean-sheet since the victory at Notts County in August.
The three points maintains the lads' presence near the top of the Youth Alliance table with a dozen league games of the campaign remaining.
Considering Huddersfield had four of the Under 18s selected for international duty earlier this week, it was something of a surprise that this game wasn't called off as the Terriers' hierarchy could have no doubt asked for a postponement, had they wished to.
With no fixtures scheduled for either last weekend or next weekend, boss Paul Stancliffe was perhaps grateful that there wasn't a postponement, and he made four changes to the starting XI from the game at Scunthorpe United, a fortnight ago.
Ben Bottomley replaced Kian Johnson between the sticks, Lewis Cunningham returned in place of Josh Clemitson at left-back, whilst Marius Conradi was named ahead of Luca Nelson in attack. The fourth change saw skipper Ben Blythe, an ever-present up to now this season, absent through illness - something which meant Max Jemson partnered Nathan Dimou in central defence.
The captain's armband, as a result, was handed to talisman Jack Watson.
The gap between recent games also meant Will McGowan, who was taken off on a stretcher in the comeback victory at Scunny, was able to feature in this game.
Rovers began positively and thought they'd took the lead inside the first five minutes when Elliott Walker's free-kick towards the edge of the six-yard box was headed home by Smith, but the flag was up for offside and the goal was chalked off.
It could have proved critical as just moments later, Huddersfield went down the other end and struck the post - with a full-stretch Bottomley beaten - following some slick, quick, two-touch football out on their left flank.
Bottomley made a couple of other saves, including one on the half-volley from a tight-angle, as the visitors 'lurked with intent' quite a few times, whilst at the other end Smith required constant attention from the Terriers back-line and Jemson had a header saved.
Rovers were more of a threat going forward than their counterparts and that eventually told on the half-hour mark when McGowan, near the halfway line, threaded a ball through towards Smith who latched onto it and rounded the advancing 'keeper. Despite being at quite a tight angle and having plenty of work still to do, Smith lashed a low drive goalwards and the ball ended up in the net after ricocheting off a Huddersfield defender who desperately tried to make a sliding interception.
Though members of the 'dubious goals panel' might ask questions as to the authenticity of the opener, there was no doubt whatsoever about who scored the second, just minutes later.
Walker's cross from the right-channel pierced Huddersfield's defence and, in a great position, Smith showed a touch of class with a delicate, nonchalant flick-of-the-heel to knock the ball into the far corner beyond the despairing 'keeper.
With Rovers now in their groove and controlling proceedings, things got even better by half-time as McGowan added his name to the score-sheet with a curling drive following some decent link-up play from Nathan Dimou and Cunningham, who got the assist.
In such a commanding position by this stage, the lads' task was now straightforward and all they had to do was demonstrate good game-management to extinguish any hopes which Huddersfield may have harboured about launching a comeback.
Despite the fact the visitors did see more of the ball in the second period, which led to rare half-chances, Bottomley was barely tested.
In truth, the 'hard graft' had already been done and after a long spell without serious goalmouth action at either end, Rovers finished the stronger and enjoyed a flurry of late opportunities.
Smith headed wide from Cunningham's pinpoint cross, another ball into the box by McGowan (who took the skippers armband when Jack Watson was substituted) caused problems, and the energetic Charlie Bell flashed a couple of opportunities high and wide of the target.
In the dying stages, Smith finally completed his hat-trick as he got on the end of Dimou's long ball into the area and cushioned his effort past the visiting 'keeper before wheeling off in celebration at his personal achievement.
Going through the team who played, Ben Bottomley will be happy to have registered a clean-sheet - along with the rest of the backline.
Max Jemson showed no nerves and delivered a steady display - talking, organising and demonstrating leadership a few times, whilst he could also have got an early goal if he'd managed to get more direction/power on a header. He certainly looks more confident than a few weeks ago and it's really pleasing to see. Nathan Dimou, alongside him, was steady as well, and got an assist along with a 'clattering' for the third successive game when he went up for a challenge with the Terriers 'keeper midway through the second period.
Both full-backs, Lewis Cunningham and Elliott Walker, got assists and had comfortable games; Walker also being on the receiving end of some poor banter from the referee who 'accidentally' pulled out a red card to book him (when obviously it should have been a yellow).
In midfield, Will McGowan got an assist and showed glimpses of his great passing potential and ability to cut open a defence whilst Charlie Bell, playing slightly deeper, was excellent. He put in several good tackles, thwarted the opposition time and again and was still showing energy, determination and full-blooded desire in abundance up until the final whistle. It was definitely his best display of the season so far and he didn't look afraid of anything that came his way. Liam Ravenhill grew as the game progressed after quite a quiet first 45 minutes and by the end, he was pressing, chasing and squeezing to good effect.
Marius Conradi worked hard in his hour-long spell on the pitch, held things up alright, but still probably needs some more game-time over the coming weeks in order to make a greater impact later in the season. Jack Watson had an uncharacteristically quiet game - especially infront of goal but he's shown enough potential for enough folk to know what he's all about already.
Finally from the starting line-up, Junior Smith produced another 'A*' display and deservedly got his hat-trick following a few chances which he didn't convert. If he can maintain this form (as he was also excellent in the win at Scunthorpe) over a long period of time, then his potential is frightening.
All three substitutes who came on showed positive glimpses - Luca Nelson in working hard up top, Owan Derrett to reach and then play a cut-back cross from the byline (though the linesman had flagged the ball to have gone out of play) and Josh Clemitson with a couple of good passes. The more minutes they play, the more it will help them over the course of their two-year scholarship.
On the whole, though there will undoubtedly be greater tests as the season progresses, the lads were good value for their victory. With Lirak Hasani and Ethan Bojang both close to fitness and a return in the near-future, there are some very positive headaches which the hierarchy will be having right now.
Team: Ben Bottomley, Elliott Walker (Josh Clemitson), Nathan Dimou, Max Jemson, Lewis Cunningham, Liam Ravenhill, Charlie Bell, Will McGowan, Jack Watson (Owan Derrett), Marius Conradi (Luca Nelson), Junior Smith. Unused Sub: Luke Chadwick.
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