EFL Youth Alliance
Saturday 3rd August 2019
As one-sided football matches go, this was a pretty emphatic example as Rovers’ youngsters blew last season’s Youth Alliance title winners away to earn three thoroughly deserved points.
Three goals inside the opening 20 minutes, scored by Junior Smith, Ethan Bojang and Nathan Dimou, was testament to the quality the lads displayed on the ball.
Smith added a second not long after the re-start before the Mariners bagged a consolation - and they’ll head back to North Lincolnshire with their tails firmly between their legs and with plenty to ponder before they play again.
It was a boiling hot morning and Rovers totally melted the Mariners - taking just under two minutes to seize the initiative with Smith driving a low shot home after quick, sharp and incisive passing pulled the Grimsby backline apart for the first of many times.
Galvanised by the early opener, Smith, Jack Watson and Lirak Hasani, in particular, continued to torture the Mariners’ defence with their movement and it wasn’t long before a second goal arrived with Hasani threading a ball through to Bojang who fired home from a tight angle.
Dimou, excellent at one end of the pitch with Ben Blythe, then demonstrated his capabilities at the other as he rose highest from a right-sided corner and saw his towering header flick off the post and into the net, leaving the Grimsby goalie despairing yet again.
So, 3-0 after 20 minutes. Unbelievable!
The Mariners, unsurprisingly - and far too late, changed shape in an effort to try and contain Rovers, but still struggled and would have gone further behind had Will McGowan’s attempt in a one-on-one not been smothered or if a long shot by Watson hadn’t drifted just over.
Half-time couldn’t have come quick enough for the visitors, however, only 10 minutes into the second period they went 4-0 behind as Elliot Walker; fantastic on the right side, drilled a low ball into the danger zone towards Smith whose brave, stooping low header beat the ‘keeper.
Grimsby got a consolation before the hour mark then, after a slight lull, Rovers finished the stronger with Watson having a goal disallowed and McGowan again being denied what would have been a richly-deserved goal.
What caught my eye the most about Rovers’ display was the pressing, determination, desire, commitment, organisation and sheer willingness to win back possession when Grimsby got the ball - something which every player demonstrated numerous times.
Skipper Ben Blythe held things firmly together at the back, whilst Will McGowan (a player who I can’t stress just how much deserved a goal - and on another day would have got one) was a constant pain in the backside for Grimsby.
When he wasn’t orchestrating a pass-and-move one-two with wide players, he was tracking back and encouraging effort levels to stay at 100% throughout.
Despite being diminutive in stature, his performance was epitomised close to half-time when he out-jumped his marker, who was comfortably taller, to reach a downfield clearance by the visiting ‘keeper - absolutely top stuff and it certainly doesn’t go unnoticed!
Also in the middle of the park, Lirak Hasani caused several problems and looks to have grown in stature and presence over the summer, Lewis Cunningham put in a solid debut performance at left-back and Elliot Walker teased and tormented his marker on the opposite flank - particularly in the move that led to the fourth goal.
Substitute Charlie Bell also put himself about well during his short cameo towards the end; three times going in with energetic, committed challenges to win the ball which again replicated the same desire and effort showed by the starting xi.
Despite being diminutive in stature, his performance was epitomised close to half-time when he out-jumped his marker, who was comfortably taller, to reach a downfield clearance by the visiting ‘keeper - absolutely top stuff and it certainly doesn’t go unnoticed!
Also in the middle of the park, Lirak Hasani caused several problems and looks to have grown in stature and presence over the summer, Lewis Cunningham put in a solid debut performance at left-back and Elliot Walker teased and tormented his marker on the opposite flank - particularly in the move that led to the fourth goal.
Substitute Charlie Bell also put himself about well during his short cameo towards the end; three times going in with energetic, committed challenges to win the ball which again replicated the same desire and effort showed by the starting xi.
Then, there was Corie Cole who also came off the bench to make his debut at youth level.
Jack Watson put in a committed display, Ethan Bojang and Liam Ravenhill will have been happy with their work and there’s little doubt Junior Smith would have bagged more had Grimsby not changed tactics after their disastrous opening quarter.
An honourable mention too for Rovers’ goalkeeper Kian Johnson who is probably annoyed to have let one in but showed confidence in coming and claiming crosses, communicated well with his defence and dealt with the danger effectively on the rare occasions the Mariners did get forward.
In one sense, it’s easy to over-praise the lads and get carried away, but this result thoroughly merited the performance and it should be used as a benchmark.
There’ll be games which don’t go according to plan and tricky situations which will materialise at times, but if effort levels remain what they were in this game, I've got no doubts these lads could be battling it out near the top of the table come the end of the season.
Before then, there’s the small matter of righting another wrong next weekend and exacting revenge on Notts County after last season’s final day heartbreak.
Team: Kian Johnson, Elliot Walker, Lewis Cunningham, Ethan Bojang (Charlie Bell), Nathan Dimou, Ben Blythe, Lirak Hasani, Will McGowan, Jack Watson, Liam Ravenhill, Junior Smith (Corie Cole). Unused Subs: Max Jemson, Will Hollings, Luke Chadwick.
Goals: Junior Smith (2), Ethan Bojang, Nathan Dimou.
Jack Watson put in a committed display, Ethan Bojang and Liam Ravenhill will have been happy with their work and there’s little doubt Junior Smith would have bagged more had Grimsby not changed tactics after their disastrous opening quarter.
An honourable mention too for Rovers’ goalkeeper Kian Johnson who is probably annoyed to have let one in but showed confidence in coming and claiming crosses, communicated well with his defence and dealt with the danger effectively on the rare occasions the Mariners did get forward.
In one sense, it’s easy to over-praise the lads and get carried away, but this result thoroughly merited the performance and it should be used as a benchmark.
There’ll be games which don’t go according to plan and tricky situations which will materialise at times, but if effort levels remain what they were in this game, I've got no doubts these lads could be battling it out near the top of the table come the end of the season.
Before then, there’s the small matter of righting another wrong next weekend and exacting revenge on Notts County after last season’s final day heartbreak.
Team: Kian Johnson, Elliot Walker, Lewis Cunningham, Ethan Bojang (Charlie Bell), Nathan Dimou, Ben Blythe, Lirak Hasani, Will McGowan, Jack Watson, Liam Ravenhill, Junior Smith (Corie Cole). Unused Subs: Max Jemson, Will Hollings, Luke Chadwick.
Goals: Junior Smith (2), Ethan Bojang, Nathan Dimou.
Was a good game, Rovers dominated in all areas and each player put in a shift!! Great comprehensive report which totally reflects the game, lets hope you will be writing many more positive reports throughout the season!!
ReplyDeleteExcellent summary of the game.
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