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| The YT's have been training at the Keepmoat Stadium during pre-season. |
The fixture(s) haven't been publicised due to the current Covid-19 restrictions (though some clubs have published their fixture lists on their own websites) and this weekend's clash is strictly behind closed doors anyway. However, the lads will go into it with confidence having come from behind to triumph 4-1 against Nottingham Forest in midweek.
In that game, Forest opened the scoring inside 10 minutes with a header from a set-piece and they enjoyed plenty of possession throughout the opening quarter. Rovers eventually got to grips with things and Owan Derrett converted a spot-kick, awarded after he was brought down, to level things up by half-time. Alex Wolny then illustrated just how much of an important player he could be this season by bagging a second half hat-trick - even though he missed his easiest chance where he could/should have had another. His first goal was a stooping low header from Lewis Cunningham's excellent left-wing cross; his second was a selfish, but predatory, striker's finish following a swift break-away attack and his third was a powerfully-struck shot from the outside of the area which the visiting 'keeper should perhaps have done better with.
In the lads' other pre-season fixtures, they drew 1-1 at Sheffield United (an 'own goal' being Rovers' scorer), whilst Chesterfield were narrowly beaten 1-0 over a week ago, in an encounter which could quite easily have gone either way; the Spireites having a goal disallowed before Luca Nelson was on target from the penalty spot in the closing stages.
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| The Under 18s in action against Rotherham last season. |
Standards will no doubt be high again this year and there'll be some big shoes to fill for the new first-year scholars following last season's success when the Under 18s became the first ever Doncaster Rovers youth team in history to win a league title - stretching back as far as when records began after the Second World War. The lads were perched at the top of the table for almost the entirety of the campaign and had established a massive 11-point lead over their rivals before football was suspended in March and positions were eventually settled on a points per game basis.
Many of the new first-year scholars themselves enjoyed success last season as they were crowned as National Champions whilst in the Under 16s.
Seven members of the youth team title-winning squad have since departed DRFC - those being Nathan Dimou (now back in Australia), Marius Conradi (now back in Norway), Elliott Walker (recently at Rossington Main), Jack Watson (currently at Rossington Main), Junior Smith (awaiting a club - watch this space), Will McGowan (awaiting a club) and Kian Johnson (now playing at Worksop Town).
They've been replaced by the following players who make up the current crop of first-year scholars hoping to ultimately earn a professional contract:
Luke Chadwick: A tall and well-built goalkeeper who grew up supporting the correct team in Sheffield (good lad!). He featured on the bench a couple of times for the U18s last season as well as appearing in 2018/19.
Tom Henson: A neat, tidy right-back who is comfortable on the ball and constantly improving.
Michael Nesbitt: A centre-back who excels in one-on-one scenarios and will be eager to make a good impression when he gets game-time.
Dan Wilds: An athletic midfielder signed from Sunderland. He demonstrates craft and guile - whether it be in and out of possession.
Corie Cole: A hard-working and technically-gifted player who'll most likely feature in midfield but can also perform elsewhere.
Will Hollings: A tenacious yet visionary midfielder with the ability to open up teams with his passing range.
Tavonga Kuleya: An attacking, skilful wide player with rapid pace and good feet. He's likely to form part of 'the three' behind the frontman.
Alex Wolny: A hard-working, clinical and determined talisman who'll chase things down, has plenty of strength and pace and is a predatory finisher.
The above players will join the following second-year scholars:
Ben Bottomley: A goalkeeper who was a regular between the posts last season and was on the bench for the first team's fixture against Bradford City in midweek.
Lewis Cunningham: A consistent and vocal left-back. He leads by example, has good attributes, and will want the team to go marching on together to more success this term.
Max Jemson: The tallest player in the squad who plays at centre-back and will be keen to get more minutes under his belt this term.
Josh Clemitson: A versatile player who can play either out wide, in midfield or in defence. He'll also be keen to play more minutes over the next 6-7 months.
Charlie Bell: A hard-working, 'ratty' and fully-committed midfielder who'll wear his heart on his sleeve and always give 100% in every situation.
Ethan Bojang: The oldest squad member. An intelligent and versatile player, he was out for a while last season but adapts well to whichever position he's asked to play.
Liam Ravenhill: A technical, talented and composed midfielder who has featured in some games for the first team during the course of pre-season.
Luca Nelson: A strong, powerful and hard-working frontman, capable of causing teams some damage with his attributes.
Owan Derrett: A rapid attacker with tremendous pace who'll be hoping to be both a regular goalscorer and name in the starting xi.
As has been the case for several years now, DRFC will once again compete in the EFL Youth Alliance (North-East Division) this season, along with Bradford, Burton, Grimsby, Huddersfield, Lincoln, Mansfield, Notts County, Rotherham and Scunthorpe.
The 'regular season' is scheduled to conclude with an away game on Saturday 13th March 2021 - meaning there's every possibility of further fixtures being added to the schedule if the table is split to determine a 'top half' and 'bottom half' as was the EFL's intention last season.
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