Doncaster Rovers (U23s) 1-0 Portsmouth (U23s)

Doncaster Rovers (U23s) 1-0 Portsmouth (U23s)
Premier League Cup
Tuesday 24th September 2019

The Premier League Cup might not be the most well-known competition in existence at present, but it's one which aims to bridge the gap between 'youth' and 'senior' football.

Despite it's name, clubs from outside the top tier are allowed to enter - hence both Doncaster Rovers and Portsmouth's participation. The format of the competition sees four clubs compete in a six-game group with the group winners (and maybe even runners up, who knows) qualifying for the knockout rounds.

If you're confused think of the UEFA Champions League - albeit without the glitz, glamour and wall-to-wall worldwide TV coverage!

Although it's predominantly an Under 23s competition, sides are allowed to field up to four 'senior' players (including the goalkeeper).

Aston Villa and Exeter City, who came through the qualifying stages, are the other teams which make up this particular group and as you may have guessed, groups aren't regionalised so there are some bloody long trips involved which definitely aren't for the faint-hearted.

On a wet night in South Yorkshire, Rovers emerged victorious in this, their opening group game (and first 'proper' Under 23s game of the campaign) thanks to Joe Wright's early headed goal.

Despite not being able to add a second goal, there were a handful of decent individual performances which means certain players have now set a precedent for the rest of the season.

Rovers started quite positively; signalling their intentions to get forward and create problems and second-year youth team right-back Elliott Walker went close to an opener with a free-kick after the lively Will Longbottom drew a foul.

In a separate move, Longbottom also played an inviting ball across the goalmouth but Alex Kiwomya was unable to get a crucial touch to turn the ball goalwards.

The hosts' pressure soon paid off as they took the lead on the quarter-hour mark when AJ Greaves was fouled on the inside-right and Amos played a terrific set-piece delivery into the danger zone where Wright connected and sent his firm header beyond the stranded 'keeper.

Nevertheless, just a few minutes later, the visitors were almost back on level terms as there was a miscommunication between Shane Blaney and Ian Lawlor which resulted in a Pompey player having a shot blocked on the line. If apportioning blame, then the Rovers goalkeeper should have come and collected a loose ball but he didn't and it was a significant let off.

Lawlor, however, played a key role in Doncaster's next attack as his long downfield ball released Kiwomya but after being forced wide by Pompey's advancing 'keeper, Kiwomya could only cut the ball back towards the trialist who saw his effort tipped over.

Amos then delivered a couple more terrific deliveries towards the edge of the six-yard box from corners, but Portsmouth's defence held firm against the pressure.

Rovers kept their foot on the gas though and Longbottom, working his socks off in attack, was unfortunate when his driving run forward and subsequent snap-shot ended with the ball just clearing the upright. Moments later, visiting shot-stopper Luke McGee again proved his worth with a sublime save to deny Wright a second goal after yet another fine set-piece delivery by Amos.

Pompey's threat was sporadic and their youthful side was frequently being stopped in their tracks thanks to some excellent work by Cody Prior and a defensive back-line which always kept shape and was commanded well by Wright.

They did nearly muster up an opening though when Lawlor and Walker mis-communicated inside their own box, but the danger was over pretty much as quickly as it had emerged.

Rovers continued to keep pressing forward up to half-time though Kiwomya couldn't effectively release Longbottom after seizing upon a sloppy pass by a Pompey defender on the edge of his own box. Then, a few minutes later, the trialist fired over after some good play.

After the re-start, the hosts continued to push Pompey back.

Greaves grew into things more and more as the game went on and was twice unfortunate in quick succession; firstly as he weaved into the box and flashed a low shot narrowly wide after a corner-kick was partially cleared to him, then as he pressed Pompey's 'keeper into a mistake, albeit to no avail as the ball drifted away from goal.

Longbottom continued to show hard-work and desire and nearly set-up 'Trialist' when he drifted out to the outside-left and played a superb ball across the goalmouth. However, a covering defender did just about enough to distract the attacker and it remained 1-0.

Longbottom then had a couple of attempts himself and though he deserved a goal through his sheer hard-work and effort, one went a whisker wide of the target whilst the other caught a deflection which took it behind for a corner.

At the other end, Prior showed a great bit of understanding to foil the visitors when they looked to spring forward on the counter-attack and had players in dangerous positions.

Rovers then had a plethora of further opportunities with Max Watters having an attempt deflected behind, whilst fellow substitute Rian McLean couldn't convert with a header. Amos and Longbottom (who else) had shots in a sustained spell of pressure but Pompey survived.

In the closing stages, Rovers kept their shape well and battled through four minutes of stoppage-time to ensure there would be no comeback from the visitors - and, pretty much in keeping with the rest of the game, squandered another opening when Kiwomya couldn't get in an effective enough position to meet a low left-sided ball into the area.

So, all in all, it was a good win - yet it could have been much more!

Given Pompey's first team were also in action against Southampton in the Carabao Cup tonight, it's probably worth remembering that their side possibly wasn't as strong as it otherwise may have been and this win needs taking with a proverbial pinch of salt.

Rovers will undoubtedly face much sterner challenges when they face Aston Villa and even Exeter City, who have always had a strong youth set-up due to the large catchment area which they have to attract good young players.

But three points are three points and with that nobody can have any complaints.

In terms of individual performances, goalkeeper Ian Lawlor had a couple of shaky moments early on and was fortunate that one (where Joe Wright cleared off the line) didn't result in a goal. However, despite his 'naff' start, he recovered and eventually showed the composure and confidence that you'd expect from a senior shot-stopper.

Defensively, although it wasn't the toughest test ever, Joe Wright marshalled things during his hour on the pitch and with minutes under his belt, you'd expect that he may now be in contention for the first team's trip to Coventry City at the weekend. Alongside him, Shane Blaney was solid enough with some composed left-foot touches 'here and there' whilst Donervon Daniels offered assurance and it was an impressive enough first showing from him. Rian McLean, in his half-hour appearance, didn't do anything wrong or out of place and also went close with a header - had he better connected to it then maybe it'd have gone in?

At right-wing-back, Elliott Walker did okay, though there were a couple of occasions when he got into promising 'attacking' positions in open play yet held onto the ball for a second or two too long, which resulted in a 'crossing opportunity' being lost. Nevertheless, his deliveries from corner-kicks were fine and he definitely possesses certain ingredients/characteristics which make me think he's more than capable of holding down a place in this team.

Danny Amos, at left-wing-back, produced a typically decent performance - not for the first time, either! As well as his work on defensive duties, there were four or five sublime set-piece deliveries from him during the opening half-hour and he was unlucky not to get a goal off one which dipped right under the 'keepers crossbar and had to be palmed over.

Cody Prior showed good understanding and intelligence in midfield and despite being diminutive in stature, the best example of his qualities was demonstrated when he foiled a counter-attack towards the final quarter-hour of the game. Having seen him a few times, including one impressive display in a reserve game last season, he's certainly capable in a midfield role.

AJ Greaves, alongside him, grew in stature as the game progressed and was having quite an impact towards the end which was around the time when he was booked in a classic case of 'taking one for the team' to stop a potential counter-attack. He's got leadership qualities, evident last year in being the skipper in a successful youth team, and it'll be interesting to see how he progresses as the season goes on.

The Trialist (whose name is out there) had a couple of efforts and lasted an hour and he certainly didn't disgrace himself - nor did Max Watters when he came on.

Alex Kiwomya had a disappointing individual game, in my opinion, and it's hard to pinpoint what exactly went wrong, or why it went wrong for him tonight. There were times when he was heavily involved in the play (especially in the first 45 minutes) yet his touch/technique let him down in at least one attack where he played a sloppy pass to Will Longbottom who then couldn't then get a shot away due to that. In the second half, whether it was fatigue/injury, who knows, but he almost let the game bypass him and didn't influence it as much as he should have done.

Compare and contrast Kiwomya's display to that of Will Longbottom's and they were at opposite ends of a spectrum with Longbottom working relentlessly, applying himself, showing bravery, taking things on, having shots on goal and being a real 'key player' who deserved a goal. He's probably a bit disappointed that he didn't find the target, but if he applies himself in the same way in future games then goals will come and he'll maintain a place in and around the first team.

Kiwomya obviously has tools in his locker to have got to where he's got in professional football - and tonight might just have been a disappointing display for any number of reasons, but there's surely so much more that he has to offer and hopefully he'll be able to influence a game in a much greater capacity at some point in the near future.

A special mention to Will McGowan who came on for the final 10 minutes and showed persistence to nip the ball off a Portsmouth player and play a pass, when his opponent was trying to shepherd the ball out of play for a goal-kick.

Team: Ian Lawlor, Danny Amos, Shane Blaney, Joe Wright (Rian McLean), Donervon Daniels, Elliott Walker, Cody Prior, AJ Greaves, Will Longbottom (Will McGowan), Trialist (Max Watters), Alex Kiwomya. Unused Subs: Louis Jones, Myron Gibbons.