Football League Youth Alliance Cup
Friday 23rd August 2019
Two goals by Junior Smith and a clinical finish from Jack Watson ensured Doncaster Rovers' youngsters made the perfect start to the weekend with a richly deserved 3-1 victory over Rotherham United in the Football League Youth Alliance Cup.
In boiling hot sunshine, this was a much-improved performance by the lads after their scrappy 2-2 draw with the Millers at Cantley Park, six days ago.
Credit must go to Under 18s chief Paul Stancliffe and his coaching staff for recognising what went wrong last time out, changing formation and ultimately reaping the rewards of the evident work that's been put in at the training ground over the past week.
Today, Rovers won more second balls, played on the front foot, were clinical and posed plenty of danger with their delightful passing play.
Stancliffe made three changes to his starting line-up as goalkeeper Ben Bottomley and midfielder Charlie Bell both came into the line-up for Kian Johnson and Ethan Bojang.
Max Jemson's inclusion for his first start of the campaign, replacing Lirak Hasani, meant a tactical switch to three-at-the-back in an effort to negate the aerial presence of Rotherham's attackers who enjoyed a fair amount of success with their direct style in the last meeting.
Again, the lads were forced to wear their away strip to avoid a potential kit clash.
Rovers began as brightly as the blazing sunshine in the blue skies above; keeping the ball on the deck, and their early dominance took under five minutes to pay off with Liam Ravenhill piercing the Millers' defence with a low through ball towards Smith who slotted beyond the advancing 'keeper.
Even in the infancy of the game, the lads looked much composed and in control of proceedings than at any point last Saturday and they soon nearly bagged a second goal when the visiting goalkeeper flapped at Elliott Walker's right-wing cross and parried it straight onto Will McGowan's head, before it eventually went wide of the target.
Walker, who also had an early knock, was already wreaking havoc down the right side and on the quarter-hour mark it was 2-0. This time, the second-year scholar put a pin-point cross into the area which was met first time by Watson's right-boot for a perfectly-executed sweeping finish.
The Millers' biggest threat, unsurprisingly, was from set-plays and long balls and Rovers soon had Bottomley to thank for protecting the early two-goal cushion.
A left-sided corner was flicked on and the ball ricocheted off the back post and across the goal-line at chest height towards Bottomley who instinctively punched the ball away, before the defence was eventually able to clear their lines.
Even though Rotherham hadn't offered much up to this point, it was a pretty big let off and a sign that they were more than capable of getting a goal.
The visitors had a decent spell of pressure, albeit without creating much, over a ten-minute period prior to the half-hour mark.
Only once did they catch sight of goal when Bottomley accidentally shanked an attempted clearance straight to an opponent, but McGowan was quickly on-hand to get goal-side and block any potential for a shot goalwards.
The Millers made a tactical change following a drinks break - evidently tactical as the forward player who was substituted went sprinting to the touchline so he couldn't have been injured.
On 36 minutes, Bottomley was called into action again when he saved a low drive from the edge of the area, but Rovers ended the half positively and on the front foot with McGowan flashing a shot wide and plenty of good, sharp, incisive and passing play inside their opponents' half.
The lads continued in the same vein in the early minutes after the re-start and nearly had a third goal to show for their efforts as Walker put another good cross into the danger zone, albeit just a couple of yards behind Watson, who had to re-adjust his body position and was unlucky to head over the woodwork with his subsequent attempt.
Bell was instrumental in another attack a few minutes later; distributing a brilliant ball towards Cunningham on the left channel from midway inside the Rotherham half. Lewis Cunningham then laid the ball off to Ravenhill, who saw a shot blocked, but the way Rovers were keeping the ball was a delight - and again, in contrast to the bitty, scrappy affair of the previous week.
A few minutes later, Bell's afternoon came to a premature end as he went off injured and needed to be replaced by Hasani.
Eager to get back into things, the Millers slowly began to get a better foothold and apply more pressure - knowing a goal would probably alter the course of the game.
On 67 minutes, they very nearly halved the deficit as some confusion between Jemson and Bottomley in dealing with a ball over the top resulted in a corner.
From the subsequent set-piece delivery, another flick on reached the back-post area (not too dissimilar from how they hit the post in the first half) and Rovers' backline had to frantically scramble the ball out of their own six-yard box.
Eventually, Walker made a long clearance and it immediately caused problems at the opposite end as Rotherham's keeper rushed from his line, yet the bounce of the ball eluded him and he could only get the faintest of touches to knock the ball towards Smith, who directed a header into the empty net.
Whilst they may not be the best side in terms of footballing ability, the 3-0 scoreline was harsh on the visitors and their height advantage/style of play will cause other sides problems throughout the campaign.
The Millers did get a consolation on 71 minutes when their No.8 (whose name I'd love to say, but there weren't any team sheets available) smashed a powerful drive into the net from 20 yards.
With a quarter-of-an-hour to go and with the visitors knowing that another goal would set-up a grandstand finale, there was a 'hold your breath' moment as a long ball forward caught out Nathan Dimou and a Rotherham striker to get through.
The centre-back desperately tried to get back and narrow the angle for a shot, whilst Bottomley was quick off his line, and eventually the goalkeeper smothered a low effort to protect Rovers' two goal cushion.
Ethan Bojang replaced Cunningham in the latter stages and added a calming presence in midfield, alongside Hasani and McGowan who, together with the rest of the team, did their best in running the clock down and stifle any momentum that the opposition was desperately trying to build.
Bojang nearly made it 4-1 when McGowan's corner skimmed off his head and drifted away from goal on 80 minutes, whilst Dimou had to make a crucial hooked clearance off the line in the final few minutes as Rotherham pressed up to the whistle for a route back into proceedings.
In reflection, and as stated already, the win was well-deserved by the lads who are now four games unbeaten since the season began and they certainly look capable of doing alright this term.
There were also some impressive individual performances today.
Ravenhill, from the outset, was putting himself about, pressing and his assist for the opening goal was clever, cute and well-crafted. He should be pleased with his afternoons work, especially given the ridiculous heat, and it's probably his best of the season.
Junior Smith took his goals well and put in a decent showing over the 90 minutes. Jack Watson was strong, hard-working and effective as ever going forward and, having scored for the third successive game, nobody can have any complaints there.
Defensively, there were moments 'here and there' which caused worry and led to chances - which I'm sure none of them need reminding about, though on the whole Max Jemson, Nathan Dimou and Ben Blythe should be pleased. It's worth remembering they were up against a big, strong front-line from Rotherham who, because of the players which they have, will always be direct so it was never going to be smooth or plain sailing in that respect.
It was always going to be a battle and the boys won that battle. For evidence just look at the final score - that's what matters!
The same pretty much applies to Ben Bottomley. He made one error with a shanked clearance - it happens; and he atoned for it with some good saves at different points - none more so than the smothering one late on, when a second Rotherham goal would have really put the cat amongst the pigeons.
On the flanks, Lewis Cunningham and Elliott Walker were as positive as usual in their play, linked up well with others, posed a threat and showed consistency over the 90 minutes. Walker, more so, put a number of great balls into the box and if he can keep that up for the rest of the season, then he's going to get a lot of assists.
In midfield, Charlie Bell did well (and surprisingly didn't get a talking to by the referee this week). He stifled play at times, distributed some good balls and it was unfortunate that he ended up having to go off injured as he'd only a few minutes earlier orchestrated a good, sweeping, free-flowing move.
Will McGowan was always talking to others and ensuring focus and standards remained high throughout the game and he's already demonstrated, particularly in the opening game of the season, what he can offer to the side.
From the substitutes bench, Lirak Hasani took a few minutes to adjust and along with Ethan Bojang, who was a very calming influence in his 15-minute or so cameo, they can be happy.
After his few minutes at Notts County a fortnight back, the Under 16s' Aleks Wolny also made another brief appearance late on. Whilst only a few minutes, introducing him used to this level; where he'll hopefully play over the next couple of years - assuming he earns a scholarship, can certainly be no bad thing.
So, all in all, a very positive afternoon of hard-work, graft, fine tactics and good football resulted in an impressive, well-deserved win.
Next up is Burton Albion on Saturday 31st August when the lads will be back in the red and white hooped shirts as opposed to the away kit.
Team: Ben Bottomley, Lewis Cunningham (Ethan Bojang), Max Jemson, Ben Blythe (C), Nathan Dimou, Elliott Walker, Charlie Bell (Lirak Hasani), Will McGowan, Junior Smith (Alex Wolny), Liam Ravenhill, Jack Watson. Unused Subs: Kian Johnson.
MOTM: Elliott Walker - two assists, posed a threat and a very good performance.
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