Former scholars round-up (06/09/21)

At some point or another every football fan has probably dreamed about throttling either Steve Evans or his long-time assistant Paul Raynor - and that’s precisely what one-time Doncaster Rovers youth team ‘keeper Harry Burgoyne did last month.

The ‘keeper isn’t an ex-scholar in the truest sense given that he joined DRFC on a youth loan in 2013/14 and then played in an FA Youth Cup defeat to Manchester City though the story of someone throttling big Steve's best pal is simply too good not to include in this round-up.

Despite actually being a substitute, the 24-year-old was red carded in the 98th minute of Shrewsbury Town’s 2-1 victory over Gillingham for rushing into the opposition technical area amidst a mass brawl and barging over Paul Raynor before then appearing to casually throttle him on the floor. His own manager, Steve Cotterill, has since stated he couldn't care less about the brawl and though Burgoyne's actions are definitely unprofessionalism at its worst, he also probably deserves a knighthood, statue and the 'Freedom of Shropshire' for such comedy heroics that will go down well in the wider football world.

Harry 'The Hitman' Burgoyne throttles his opponent! (Photo: Unknown).

Quite a few ex-scholars (in the genuine sense) have also been on the move in the past few weeks - signing at clubs in the EFL down to lower levels. 

Danny Amos has just joined Port Vale on a six-month contract; Will Longbottom is now with National League North side Farsley Celtic; Luca Nelson has signed for Billingham Town following his pre-season trial at Bishop Auckland; Aron Gordon is now playing for Haringey Borough in the Isthmian Premier Division and Ben Greasley has come out of 'retirement' yet again to be registered by Goole AFC where he links up with former right-back Tyler Walker.

A suspicious mind tells me Danny Amos is in a good place to be able to blag free concert tickets from Robbie Williams! (Photo: Port Vale FC).

Elsewhere, having opted to leave Belper Town in search of regular game-time, Morgan James also made the perfect start at Maltby Main by scoring a debut winner against Staveley Miners Welfare. Maltby have had a relatively decent start to the new NCEL (Premier Division) campaign and currently find themselves amongst the early-season front-runners.

Staveley occupy 7th position right now and Declan Howe has bagged three goals so far this term for the Trojans whilst strike-partner Myron Gibbons has two goals to his name. Matt Parkin has mainly appeared from the substitute's bench though Charlie Bell, Rieves Boocock and Cameron Foulkes have all been regulars.

In the division below, the four ex-scholars at Rossington Main have been in good form - achieving six wins from the past eight games to reach 3rd position.

Jack Watson has been very much amongst the goals and his hat-trick in last weekend's win over Shirebrook Town means he's now bagged NINE times already this season. One of those goals came in the 'Donny Derby' where Rozzo beat local rivals Armthorpe Welfare at Oxford Street - although it was overshadowed by a nasty knee injury that Cameron Barnett sustained which is expected to keep him sidelined for a significant amount of time. At the other end, Conner Williamson has played a key part in a sturdy defence that has conceded just once in the past five outings and 'keeper Kian Johnson, fresh from interest abroad, will no doubt be buzzing with his four clean-sheets! 

Jordan Buckham and Ryan Wharton - both of whom were in the DRFC Academy at different points, have also appeared in games for Rossington this term, whilst Callum Fielding kept goal for Armthorpe in the 'Donny Derby' and has registered five clean-sheets up to now.

Despite a Covid outbreak causing the postponement of their first few games, Jack Muldoon has helped Harrogate Town go top of Sky Bet League Two. He was on target for the first time this term in a 1-1 draw with Exeter City prior to scoring his 50th goal for the club in a 3-1 win at Mansfield Town last Saturday.

Billy Whitehouse also put in a 'Man Of The Match' performance as Chorley, whom he joined earlier this year, achieved the biggest ever win in the National League North when they hammered Gloucester City 9-0 (or NINE as it might appear on the Sky Sports vidiprinter). Although Whitehouse didn't get on the scoresheet, he was on the receiving end of a rash tackle from one-time DRFC player Fabien Robert which resulted in the Frenchman's early dismissal.  

In the same division, Jack McKay has appeared a few times for Curzon Ashton who are in and amongst the early-season Play-Off places after a solid start, whilst Lewis Cunningham has appeared on the bench for York City (who surprisingly lost their first three games) on a couple of occasions though he's yet to receive any game-time. Mitchell Lund is still at Bradford Park Avenue.

Is it Billy Whitehouse... or is it Jesus? (Photo: Chorley FC).

North of the border, Paul McKay has already established himself in the starting xi at Queen Of The South in the Scottish Championship. Based in Dumfries, QOTS have endured a difficult start - winning just one of their first four games, but a 3-0 victory over Broomhill in the Scottish League Challenge Cup would have lifted morale going into their next game away at Raith Rovers.

Other ex-scholars have also been amongst the goals recently. James Husband struck for Blackpool in a 2-2 draw at AFC Bournemouth; defender Scott Brown netted a brace as Pontefract Collieries won 3-0 against Barnoldswick Town to reach the FA Cup Second Qualifying Round; Cody Prior scored during the early stages of a 3-0 win for Sheffield over Bridlington Town; Harry Middleton also converted a spot-kick for Cleethorpes Town in a 2-1 success over Bridlington Town and Matt Gains has been in terrific form - scoring twice in seven starts in midfield since the beginning of the new season to help Thorne Colliery top the Central Midlands League with a 100% record.

Elsewhere, Brad Grayson and Josh Meade have both featured as Grantham Town, under the management of one-time England player Carlton Palmer, have accumulated four points from their opening six games in the Northern Premier League (Premier Division). South Shields top that division and Will McGowan has mostly been an unused substitute for them to date though did appear for the final few minutes of their 3-1 win at Shildon in the FA Cup First Qualifying Round last time out.

Alex Peterson and Craig Nelthorpe have both made appearances for Belper Town in the North Premier League (Division One Midlands), whilst Elliott Walker has already seen off the manager who brought him to Stocksbridge Park Steels around a month ago. Reece Fielding has also appeared regularly for SPS, who compete in the NPL (Division One East) in the past couple of weeks. In the NPL (Division One West), Michael Carberry has figured for Bootle whose best result came when they held FC United of Manchester to a 1-1 draw in the FA Cup First Qualifying Round last weekend.

In other news, Ethan Bojang made his first appearance for Peterborough United's U23 as they lost 3-1 at Cardiff City in the Premier League Professional Development League. Jonny Maxted has made three appearances (all in cup action) for Northampton Town so far - including a win at Coventry City in the EFL Cup. Liam Mandeville is part of the Chesterfield team which occupy 2nd position in the National League right now whereas divisional rivals Eastleigh - for whom Andrew Boyce is closing in on 200 appearances, presently find themselves in 20th spot owing to a bad start. 

Liam Nelthorpe is still at North Ferriby in the NCEL (Division One), whilst Pinchbeck United of the United Counties League Premier Division (North) is where Cameron Baldock-Smith has made a handful of appearances in recent weeks.

Finally, there are seven youth team graduates still on the books at Doncaster Rovers who have experienced differing fortunes over the past month.

Lirak Hasani joined Matlock Town on loan and made a goalscoring start at the Gladiators - grabbing the winner in a 2-1 win over Hyde United, whilst Ben Bottomley (who has also temporarily moved elsewhere to get senior experience) kept goal for Frickley Athletic in games against Lincoln United, Tadcaster Albion and Worksop Town and registered his first clean-sheet in just his second outing.

Aside from the opening day defeat to AFC Wimbledon, Branden Horton has appeared in every game for DRFC so far this term and went close to scoring his first professional goal in the closing stages of the goalless draw with Portsmouth. Louis Jones and Ben Blythe made their first starts of the season in the 2-0 defeat at Stoke City in the EFL Cup, whilst AJ Greaves also appeared in the game at the Bet365 Stadium despite being red carded in the penalty shoot-out win at Walsall in the previous round.

Liam Ravenhill has been strongly linked with a loan move to Darlington, which hasn't yet been finalised, and despite being on the bench on a few occasions he's yet to get on the pitch - something which could change when Rovers host Rotherham United in the EFL Trophy later this week.

AJ Greaves makes a tackle in the EFL Cup defeat at Stoke City (Photo: James Williamson).

If you missed the update for August then click here. If I've missed anyone out - or there is anything which is incorrect, feel free to @ me on Twitter (@awayonsaturday1) and call me names. The next update will be published in early October.