Doncaster Rovers (U18s) 2-4 Notts County (U18s)

Doncaster Rovers (U18s) 2-4 Notts County (U18s)

Football League Youth Alliance

Saturday 6th March 2021

Having seen the footage from this weekend's youth team fixture, here are some articulated thoughts on what unfolded...

Charlie Bell (goalscorer) shields the ball in the game against Notts County earlier this season.

Doncaster Rovers' three-game winning run in the Football League Youth Alliance came to an abrupt end as they were comfortably beaten by league leaders Notts County.

The Magpies, who are now on the brink of securing top spot for the regular season, flew out the traps and were three goals to the good by half-time courtesy of strikes from Sam Geeves (2) and Cameron Smith.

Rovers rallied after the re-start and an unlikely comeback appeared to be on the cards with Charlie Bell twice finding the target with speculative cross-shots from high up on the right flank but Smith's header from a set-piece around 15 minutes from time secured the points for County.

Overall, there can't be any complaints about the end result.

Whilst Rovers no doubt have players with very good technical ability who are intelligent in a footballing sense - including some lads who'll be first-year scholars next season, they couldn't get anywhere close to replicating the performances they've produced in recent weeks. They were shut down by a big, strong, very organised, very efficient, direct and more experienced side who did the basics extremely well. Notts' style definitely won't impress football purists who enjoy a passing game, but they were worthy winners and will probably be league champions soon! Testament to their dominance is the fact that their 'keeper Bill Harrison wasn't really forced into any saves throughout the contest.

From a DRFC perspective, the first 45 minutes was probably the most disappointing this season, in my opinion. The younger lads, some of whom were starting for the first time at Youth Alliance level, are exempt from criticism because they need older players to set the standards for them. Across the pitch the ball just wasn't retained anywhere near well enough, collectively, and Rovers were masters of their own downfall with the goals conceded. Ultimately, the ball didn't 'stick' in attacking areas like it should have done, some players didn't acquit themselves enough to get on the right side of their opponent in certain situations and it was very disappointing! Too many passes went astray, balls into the box weren't dealt with (which resulted in a couple of goals) and there was a littering of different areas where more was needed from players to get a result.

Granted, the opposition were very difficult to play against; probably the most 'direct' another team has been this term. The officials also weren't brilliant - often reacting and making decisions based on who shouted loudest, but the referee/linesman weren't the reason for the scoreline - especially the 0-3 reverse at the half-time interval. Notts were allowed to execute their game-plan to good effect and were just comfortably on top. There's so much to learn, reflect on and improve, ahead of next weekend's fixture at Mansfield who, it's expected, will possess a very similar style to their neighbours from down the road at Meadow Lane - not to mention the upcoming FA Youth Cup tie at Peterborough which has been pencilled in for later this month!

After such a frustrating first period, Rovers at least responded to adversity and made things interesting after the re-start. Second-year Charlie Bell, who has been switched to right-back in recent weeks and has performed admirably ever since, got on the score-sheet with a vicious, looping delivery towards the back-post which the 'keeper fumbled over the line within minutes of the re-start. I'm sure Harrison won't want to claim it so, as I'm generous, it's a Rovers goal and NOT an own-goal. However, there is no doubt whatsoever about Rovers' second as Bell's sweetly-struck cross from pretty much the exact same spot sailed over Harrison's head without any touches and nestled into the net at the far-post.

At this point, with half-an-hour or so still remaining, there was a lot more urgency. It's evident from the footage that Notts' players were tiring and were having to use plenty of focus and concentration to avoid a repeat of what happened when they played Scunthorpe in January (a game where they blew a three-goal cushion and got beat) but even now, Rovers couldn't create a meaningful opening whereby Harrison was forced to make a save for the visitors.

With 15 minutes remaining, any hopes of what would have been a very unlikely comeback were extinguished when Notts bagged a crucial fourth goal as James Snedden whipped in a free-kick from a wide position in line with the edge of the 18-yard box and Cameron Smith rose highest to plant his header into the net and give Notts a well-deserved 4-2 success.

Again, their style of play wasn't pretty and wouldn't suit everyone but they were very effective in how they executed their game-plan, they were difficult to break down, played to their strengths, etc, and it's something which you can only give them credit for. The likelihood is they'll now go on to win the North-East Youth Alliance title (before any potential 'split' in the table) in the next few days/weeks.

More importantly, however, is the success of County's first team because without promotion from the National League back to the Football League at the end of this season, the club will lose all their academy funding - jeopardising the very future of their set-up! 

Good luck to them and fingers crossed that there's two reasons to celebrate at Meadow Lane in a few months from now!