Football League Youth Alliance
Saturday 12th December 2020
This was as straightforward and comfortable as victories get as Doncaster Rovers eased to a 4-1 success over Huddersfield Town in their latest Football League Youth Alliance outing.
On a damp and cold morning at Cantley Park, the lads warmed the appetite with a positive and encouraging performance and, similar to the away fixture at Huddersfield in October, desire and determination were the key attributes on the path to three points.
Luca Nelson got things going as he opened the scoring with a close-range finish after just three minutes, though the visitors soon levelled things up from the penalty spot.
Tavonga Kuleya restored Rovers' advantage on the half-hour mark with an attempt which was judged to have crossed the line before the lads stepped up a gear and produced a dominant second half performance during which Owan Derrett converted a spot-kick to make it 3-1 and Nelson bagged his second of the game in the closing stages.
Though Huddersfield once again showed that they're quite a technical team - highlighted by some prolonged periods of possession during the first 45 minutes, once Doncaster denied them from seeing as much of the ball after half-time, the Terriers were comfortably second best.
The scoreline would have been greater had Nelson, Dan Wilds and Charlie Bell been able to convert any of the chances they had in promising positions.
Despite quite a lot of positives, there were some negatives as both Josh Clemitson and Lewis Cunningham were forced off injured whilst it's another game played yet still no clean-sheet - something which needs to change soon given that we're now almost halfway through the season!
With South Yorkshire currently classed as a 'Tier 3' area with severe restrictions, it meant the game was played behind-closed-doors at Cantley Park and with that came the challenge, once again, of how would it be possible to watch it.
Although some people would argue that a bang on the head might do me a few favours, I didn't really want to fall out of a tree so that option was ruled out on safety grounds. Sneaking into one of the nearby allotments which back onto the pitches was another alternative but given the legalities and potential ramifications if I got caught, it was probably wise to leave that one well alone too.
In the end, my viewing position was in some overgrown nettles behind a barbed wire fence and adjacent to a dirt track which was that slippy I spent half the bloody game practising moves which Torvill & Dean would be proud about. Somehow, I only ended up on my backside the once - therefore I do wish to sincerely apologise to anyone in the local area who might have experienced an earth tremor just before 11.00am.
Whilst this part of Cantley Park was wholly unfamiliar, it was good to see a recognisable face back in Rovers' starting line-up as Liam Ravenhill returned to youth team action following a prolonged spell in and around the first team set-up.
The 18-year-old, who made his senior debut in last month's FA Cup tie at FC United, was named alongside fellow second-year scholars Charlie Bell and skipper Ethan Bojang in midfield. Tavonga Kuleya formed part of a three-pronged attack alongside Owan Derrett and Luca Nelson, whilst the back four (left to right) were Lewis Cunningham, Michael Nesbitt, Josh Clemitson and Tom Henson. Ben Bottomley was named as goalkeeper.
Making slow starts has been a problem which has hampered the lads' season so far, but on this occasion they got to grips with things from the first whistle and needed just three minutes to score the opener. The returning Ravenhill was heavily involved because it was his low ball into the six-yard box from deep on the outside-right channel which was perfectly slotted home by Nelson.
Those watching may have expected Rovers to go from strength-to-strength but, surprisingly, it was Huddersfield who started to enjoy more possession and it paid dividends when a clever, defence-splitting through ball released an advancing striker. He was subsequently brought down by Bottomley, leaving the referee with no other option but to award a spot-kick which was duly converted - meaning the scoreline was 1-1 with just 10 minutes on the clock.
Doncaster were soon forced into a reshuffle when Ravenhill inadvertently clattered into Clemitson on the edge of his own box whilst dropping back to help deal with the danger posed from an intricate passing exchange by the visitors. It soon became apparent that Clemitson would be unable to continue and he was replaced by midfielder Will Hollings - consequentially meaning that Cunningham, Bell and Henson all had to change positions too.
Chances remained few and far between but on 27 minutes, Rovers re-established a lead as visiting 'keeper Michael Roxburgh didn't claim what seemed to be an easy ball at his near-post following a cross. The rebound fell fortuitously for an unmarked Kuleya whose follow-up struck a defender positioned on the goal-line and sparked huge appeals with the linesman quickly raising his flag to signal that the ball had indeed crossed the line and a goal was given.
A one-goal lead should have soon become a two-goal cushion because from Doncaster's next opening an unmarked Nelson got on the end of Ravenhill's corner but his downward eight-yard header lacked accuracy and went wide of the target. The frontman should have done better; it was a good chance.
Huddersfield responded with some pressure of their own as Henson was forced to put the ball behind following a teasing open-play delivery across the area. From the subsequent set-piece, Bottomley was called into action - showing expert reflexes to tip over a cross-shot which was right under his upright.
It was the closest the visitors had come to scoring since their early spot-kick and despite actually seeing quite a bit of the ball and knocking it around well, it was Rovers who finished the first half with something of a flourish as Henson forced a near-post save after a slaloming run into the area whilst Nelson clipped the top of the crossbar with another header from a Ravenhill corner.
Another substitution had to be made during the half-time interval as Cunningham, who appeared to have strained a muscle, was replaced by Dan Wilds.
Doncaster then seized the game by the scruff of their neck and stepped things up because just a couple of minutes after the re-start, Henson - growing more into the unfamiliar left-back position where he was now operating, went on another lung-busting run which culminated when he was clattered into by a Terriers defender inside the area. It left the referee with little alternative but to award a spot-kick and Derrett dispatched the resulting penalty to open up a 3-1 lead.
A fantastic short-corner routine almost cut Huddersfield open again on 52 minutes with a triumvirate of Ravenhill, Derrett and Bell combining superbly, before the former whipped a dangerous delivery towards the back-post where Wilds was lurking. The ball sat up well for the first-year who snatched at his attempt and unleashed a half-volley which didn't trouble the 'keeper.
There was a moment of brief worry at the opposite end just a minute later when Nesbitt's knee connected with a deep left-wing cross under little pressure and looked goalbound until Bottomley scampered across the goal-line and scooped the ball up in order to spare his team-mates blushes.
The Terriers weren't allowed as much possession as they'd enjoyed during the first half; quite simply down to Rovers' determination to stop them from doing so. However, they did enjoy an opportunity when a forward carried the ball, caught a glimpse of goal and let fly with a delightful, curling right-foot shot from 20 yards or so which cannoned back off Bottomley's right-hand post and was eventually cleared away.
It was the closest they came to a comeback because Doncaster really asserted their dominance and created a plethora of further openings during the final quarter of proceedings.
The lively Kuleya, who'd shown quite a few nifty touches, had shots blocked in separate attacks - the latter in which the ball span across the edge of the six-yard box to Bell who blazed a shot over the upright when he knew he could have done better and got a goal that his performance merited.
A minute later, Nesbitt thought he should have been given a penalty when he was on the receiving end of an untidy challenge. Nothing was given; Hollings ended up being played the loose ball and found Bell, whose cross in ended up with Nelson having a shot deflected over from a promising position before the resulting set-piece came to nothing.
Rovers did make their pressure count on 80 minutes when Nelson bagged his second of the game - driving a low shot beyond the despairing 'keeper from inside the area with Henson claiming the assist, and it rounded off what was a pleasing and confidence-boosting team display - even if the margin of victory should have been greater than just the 4-1 scoreline.
There were some good showings across the pitch. Even though he didn't manage to keep a clean-sheet, Ben Bottomley otherwise put in a good performance and dealt effectively with bits and pieces when he was required to do so.
Considering the reshuffles brought about from the substitutions, the defence - especially Michael Nesbitt (who had three centre-back partners over the course of the game) performed admirably and testament to that is the fact that Huddersfield created little from open play, despite their possession. Tom Henson grew into the left-back berth, improved after some initially unsteady moments towards the end of the first period and can be happy with the work he put in whilst Charlie Bell, the stand-in right-back for three quarters of the morning, epitomised a ratty 'ankle nipping' dog - constantly sniffing around, unafraid to put a challenge in when he had to, and generally making things difficult for opponents when they were braved enough to try and get past him.
In midfield, Liam Ravenhill showed some good touches and was heavily involved in some of the moves (and also got a yellow card for a tackle which would have made his old man proud). Will Hollings came on and got clattered a few times and overall, led by captain Ethan Bojang, there was generally a good balance, whilst upfront Tavonga Kuleya was lively at times and Luca Nelson's two goals will help to keep his name in the spotlight.
Huddersfield, on the whole, appeared to be a very good technical team but without much of an end product - and my thoughts were similar after the away game in West Yorkshire two months ago. There is potential within their ranks, nonetheless, so good luck to them for the rest of the season.
Finally, one glance at the latest Football League Youth Alliance table shows that the division is completely wide open this year. Therefore, if the lads are able to replicate (and improve upon) this performance and also generate some consistency with their results, they'll no doubt climb a few places quite quickly.
Team: Ben Bottomley, Tom Henson, Josh Clemitson (Will Hollings), Michael Nesbitt, Lewis Cunningham (Dan Wilds), Charlie Bell, Ethan Bojang (C), Liam Ravenhill, Owan Derrett (Corie Cole), Luca Nelson, Tavonga Kuleya. Unused Subs: Alex Wolny, Luke Chadwick.
Whilst this part of Cantley Park was wholly unfamiliar, it was good to see a recognisable face back in Rovers' starting line-up as Liam Ravenhill returned to youth team action following a prolonged spell in and around the first team set-up.
The 18-year-old, who made his senior debut in last month's FA Cup tie at FC United, was named alongside fellow second-year scholars Charlie Bell and skipper Ethan Bojang in midfield. Tavonga Kuleya formed part of a three-pronged attack alongside Owan Derrett and Luca Nelson, whilst the back four (left to right) were Lewis Cunningham, Michael Nesbitt, Josh Clemitson and Tom Henson. Ben Bottomley was named as goalkeeper.
Making slow starts has been a problem which has hampered the lads' season so far, but on this occasion they got to grips with things from the first whistle and needed just three minutes to score the opener. The returning Ravenhill was heavily involved because it was his low ball into the six-yard box from deep on the outside-right channel which was perfectly slotted home by Nelson.
Those watching may have expected Rovers to go from strength-to-strength but, surprisingly, it was Huddersfield who started to enjoy more possession and it paid dividends when a clever, defence-splitting through ball released an advancing striker. He was subsequently brought down by Bottomley, leaving the referee with no other option but to award a spot-kick which was duly converted - meaning the scoreline was 1-1 with just 10 minutes on the clock.
Doncaster were soon forced into a reshuffle when Ravenhill inadvertently clattered into Clemitson on the edge of his own box whilst dropping back to help deal with the danger posed from an intricate passing exchange by the visitors. It soon became apparent that Clemitson would be unable to continue and he was replaced by midfielder Will Hollings - consequentially meaning that Cunningham, Bell and Henson all had to change positions too.
Chances remained few and far between but on 27 minutes, Rovers re-established a lead as visiting 'keeper Michael Roxburgh didn't claim what seemed to be an easy ball at his near-post following a cross. The rebound fell fortuitously for an unmarked Kuleya whose follow-up struck a defender positioned on the goal-line and sparked huge appeals with the linesman quickly raising his flag to signal that the ball had indeed crossed the line and a goal was given.
A one-goal lead should have soon become a two-goal cushion because from Doncaster's next opening an unmarked Nelson got on the end of Ravenhill's corner but his downward eight-yard header lacked accuracy and went wide of the target. The frontman should have done better; it was a good chance.
Huddersfield responded with some pressure of their own as Henson was forced to put the ball behind following a teasing open-play delivery across the area. From the subsequent set-piece, Bottomley was called into action - showing expert reflexes to tip over a cross-shot which was right under his upright.
It was the closest the visitors had come to scoring since their early spot-kick and despite actually seeing quite a bit of the ball and knocking it around well, it was Rovers who finished the first half with something of a flourish as Henson forced a near-post save after a slaloming run into the area whilst Nelson clipped the top of the crossbar with another header from a Ravenhill corner.
Another substitution had to be made during the half-time interval as Cunningham, who appeared to have strained a muscle, was replaced by Dan Wilds.
Doncaster then seized the game by the scruff of their neck and stepped things up because just a couple of minutes after the re-start, Henson - growing more into the unfamiliar left-back position where he was now operating, went on another lung-busting run which culminated when he was clattered into by a Terriers defender inside the area. It left the referee with little alternative but to award a spot-kick and Derrett dispatched the resulting penalty to open up a 3-1 lead.
A fantastic short-corner routine almost cut Huddersfield open again on 52 minutes with a triumvirate of Ravenhill, Derrett and Bell combining superbly, before the former whipped a dangerous delivery towards the back-post where Wilds was lurking. The ball sat up well for the first-year who snatched at his attempt and unleashed a half-volley which didn't trouble the 'keeper.
There was a moment of brief worry at the opposite end just a minute later when Nesbitt's knee connected with a deep left-wing cross under little pressure and looked goalbound until Bottomley scampered across the goal-line and scooped the ball up in order to spare his team-mates blushes.
The Terriers weren't allowed as much possession as they'd enjoyed during the first half; quite simply down to Rovers' determination to stop them from doing so. However, they did enjoy an opportunity when a forward carried the ball, caught a glimpse of goal and let fly with a delightful, curling right-foot shot from 20 yards or so which cannoned back off Bottomley's right-hand post and was eventually cleared away.
It was the closest they came to a comeback because Doncaster really asserted their dominance and created a plethora of further openings during the final quarter of proceedings.
The lively Kuleya, who'd shown quite a few nifty touches, had shots blocked in separate attacks - the latter in which the ball span across the edge of the six-yard box to Bell who blazed a shot over the upright when he knew he could have done better and got a goal that his performance merited.
A minute later, Nesbitt thought he should have been given a penalty when he was on the receiving end of an untidy challenge. Nothing was given; Hollings ended up being played the loose ball and found Bell, whose cross in ended up with Nelson having a shot deflected over from a promising position before the resulting set-piece came to nothing.
Rovers did make their pressure count on 80 minutes when Nelson bagged his second of the game - driving a low shot beyond the despairing 'keeper from inside the area with Henson claiming the assist, and it rounded off what was a pleasing and confidence-boosting team display - even if the margin of victory should have been greater than just the 4-1 scoreline.
There were some good showings across the pitch. Even though he didn't manage to keep a clean-sheet, Ben Bottomley otherwise put in a good performance and dealt effectively with bits and pieces when he was required to do so.
Considering the reshuffles brought about from the substitutions, the defence - especially Michael Nesbitt (who had three centre-back partners over the course of the game) performed admirably and testament to that is the fact that Huddersfield created little from open play, despite their possession. Tom Henson grew into the left-back berth, improved after some initially unsteady moments towards the end of the first period and can be happy with the work he put in whilst Charlie Bell, the stand-in right-back for three quarters of the morning, epitomised a ratty 'ankle nipping' dog - constantly sniffing around, unafraid to put a challenge in when he had to, and generally making things difficult for opponents when they were braved enough to try and get past him.
In midfield, Liam Ravenhill showed some good touches and was heavily involved in some of the moves (and also got a yellow card for a tackle which would have made his old man proud). Will Hollings came on and got clattered a few times and overall, led by captain Ethan Bojang, there was generally a good balance, whilst upfront Tavonga Kuleya was lively at times and Luca Nelson's two goals will help to keep his name in the spotlight.
Huddersfield, on the whole, appeared to be a very good technical team but without much of an end product - and my thoughts were similar after the away game in West Yorkshire two months ago. There is potential within their ranks, nonetheless, so good luck to them for the rest of the season.
Finally, one glance at the latest Football League Youth Alliance table shows that the division is completely wide open this year. Therefore, if the lads are able to replicate (and improve upon) this performance and also generate some consistency with their results, they'll no doubt climb a few places quite quickly.
Team: Ben Bottomley, Tom Henson, Josh Clemitson (Will Hollings), Michael Nesbitt, Lewis Cunningham (Dan Wilds), Charlie Bell, Ethan Bojang (C), Liam Ravenhill, Owan Derrett (Corie Cole), Luca Nelson, Tavonga Kuleya. Unused Subs: Alex Wolny, Luke Chadwick.
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