EFL Youth Alliance
Saturday 23rd January 2021
Saturday 23rd January 2021
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Having seen clips from yesterday's youth team clash with Bradford City, these are some articulated thoughts - it's by no means a full blow-by-blow account because I've not seen the game in its entirety.
Firstly, as the scoreline suggests (and from what I've heard), it was another 'mixed bag' of a performance on the whole with some of the issues touched upon previously again being apparent.
The positives are that the lads scored three times (even though it should actually have been more), whilst quite a few of the Under 16s team also got their first taste of action at this level and that's something which may serve them well in the long-term. Sadly, the negatives slightly outweigh the positives on this occasion and the team are still waiting for their first clean-sheet this term with some poor individual decision-making and sloppiness proving costly with a couple of the goals, especially late on. They twice let slip a lead (at 1-0 and 2-1) and, with the score locked at 3-3 late on, Bradford managed to bundle home what turned out to be the winning goal. The closing stages had similarities with the recent defeat to Scunthorpe with three goals being conceded in a relatively short period and, even though Rovers spent more minutes in the lead than what Bradford did, 'game-management' is an area where the lads collectively need to improve.
For a multitude of reasons, Rovers were without several second-year scholars which meant this was the perfect time to blood some younger lads.
Firstly, as the scoreline suggests (and from what I've heard), it was another 'mixed bag' of a performance on the whole with some of the issues touched upon previously again being apparent.
The positives are that the lads scored three times (even though it should actually have been more), whilst quite a few of the Under 16s team also got their first taste of action at this level and that's something which may serve them well in the long-term. Sadly, the negatives slightly outweigh the positives on this occasion and the team are still waiting for their first clean-sheet this term with some poor individual decision-making and sloppiness proving costly with a couple of the goals, especially late on. They twice let slip a lead (at 1-0 and 2-1) and, with the score locked at 3-3 late on, Bradford managed to bundle home what turned out to be the winning goal. The closing stages had similarities with the recent defeat to Scunthorpe with three goals being conceded in a relatively short period and, even though Rovers spent more minutes in the lead than what Bradford did, 'game-management' is an area where the lads collectively need to improve.
For a multitude of reasons, Rovers were without several second-year scholars which meant this was the perfect time to blood some younger lads.
Those in red and white hoops started the game like the proverbial 'house on fire' - taking the lead through Tavonga Kuleya's very early opener when he demonstrated some good work to finish after being put through by Lewis Cunningham. That lead lasted over half-an-hour until Bradford equalised but Rovers quickly responded to ensure they held a 2-1 lead at the interval with Alex Wolny the player on the score-sheet and Corie Cole claiming the assist.
In the meantime, the half-time winning margin could have been greater because both goalscorers didn't trouble the 'keeper with other chances created during the first 45 minutes. The Bantams also squandered a golden opportunity when they were trailing with a player knocking the ball wide on a rebound attempt despite having the goal at his mercy.
Several changes were made early in the second half with some of the U16s introduced and Bradford, who themselves have often fielded 'young' line-ups this term, began to take charge. Just past the midway point in the half, they won a free-kick in a dangerous position around 25 yards out after Rovers cheaply conceded possession with a rushed clearance and it proved costly because the subsequent set-piece shot was palmed down by Rovers' substitute 'keeper, who'd only just replaced Luke Chadwick, and a frontman pounced upon the rebound to make it 2-2.
Two minutes later and in the Bantams' very next attack, they completed a quick turnaround as an opponent found space inside the area following a clever through ball, turned, then unleashed a low drive which beat the 'keeper at his near, right-hand post - a disappointing goal to concede!
However, they weren't ahead for too long. Cunningham, scorer last time out against Scunthorpe, provided another assist with a left-wing cross which Dan Wilds connected with and sent beyond the 'keeper from close-range. The lads immediately sensed they could still achieve three points and were in a rush to grab the ball, get back into their own half and get the game re-started.
But their optimism was short-lived and the pendulum of what was now a 'topsy-turvy' contest swung back in the visitors' favour as they scored what proved to be the winning goal on 83 minutes. A near-post corner was punched away by the Donny 'keeper with the ball falling kindly for a striker who reacted quickest and sent his rebound effort into the net to make it 4-3.
That's how the scoreline stayed and, overall, whilst the defeat isn't a travesty or the end of the world, the lads will know themselves they must be more ruthless in both boxes in order to earn good results on a consistent basis. When you score three goals, you should be earning three points yet on the same token, if good opportunities go begging too often when you're 1-0 up and in the ascendancy, it can alter the course of a game, add pressure and give the opposition an impetus.
Sadly, 'ruthlessness' hasn't happened in recent outings and there's plenty of room for improvement in every area. The U16s who are getting their first taste of Youth Alliance football, rightly, need to 'step up' and raise their game but they also need guiding on the pitch with good leadership from those around them - whether it be a vocal presence or by better game-management.
Several changes were made early in the second half with some of the U16s introduced and Bradford, who themselves have often fielded 'young' line-ups this term, began to take charge. Just past the midway point in the half, they won a free-kick in a dangerous position around 25 yards out after Rovers cheaply conceded possession with a rushed clearance and it proved costly because the subsequent set-piece shot was palmed down by Rovers' substitute 'keeper, who'd only just replaced Luke Chadwick, and a frontman pounced upon the rebound to make it 2-2.
Two minutes later and in the Bantams' very next attack, they completed a quick turnaround as an opponent found space inside the area following a clever through ball, turned, then unleashed a low drive which beat the 'keeper at his near, right-hand post - a disappointing goal to concede!
However, they weren't ahead for too long. Cunningham, scorer last time out against Scunthorpe, provided another assist with a left-wing cross which Dan Wilds connected with and sent beyond the 'keeper from close-range. The lads immediately sensed they could still achieve three points and were in a rush to grab the ball, get back into their own half and get the game re-started.
But their optimism was short-lived and the pendulum of what was now a 'topsy-turvy' contest swung back in the visitors' favour as they scored what proved to be the winning goal on 83 minutes. A near-post corner was punched away by the Donny 'keeper with the ball falling kindly for a striker who reacted quickest and sent his rebound effort into the net to make it 4-3.
That's how the scoreline stayed and, overall, whilst the defeat isn't a travesty or the end of the world, the lads will know themselves they must be more ruthless in both boxes in order to earn good results on a consistent basis. When you score three goals, you should be earning three points yet on the same token, if good opportunities go begging too often when you're 1-0 up and in the ascendancy, it can alter the course of a game, add pressure and give the opposition an impetus.
Sadly, 'ruthlessness' hasn't happened in recent outings and there's plenty of room for improvement in every area. The U16s who are getting their first taste of Youth Alliance football, rightly, need to 'step up' and raise their game but they also need guiding on the pitch with good leadership from those around them - whether it be a vocal presence or by better game-management.
With fixtures about to come thick and fast, there's going to be plenty of opportunities to set a benchmark and produce good performances. So my message to the lads is listen, learn, take onboard everything which is said from coaches in various sessions, try and implement it - and above everything, enjoy it!
Next up is a meeting against Grimsby Town - the reverse fixture a couple of months ago ended in a 1-1 draw and with the Mariners currently unbeaten, it should be a good test.
Team: Luke Chadwick, Tom Henson, Lewis Cunningham, Daniel Wilds, Charlie Petch, Michael Nesbitt, Will Hollings, Charlie Bell, Alex Wolny, Corie Cole, Tavonga Kuleya. Subs Used: Luca Nelson, Jaymie Walsh, Josh Lindley, Alex Fletcher, Ethan Harrison.
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