Doncaster Rovers (U18s) 1-5 Burton Albion (U18s)

Doncaster Rovers (U18s) 1-5 Burton Albion (U18s)
EFL Youth Alliance
Saturday 30th October 2021

Only three days after recording their biggest win for six-and-a-half years, this game proved to be a classic case of 'After the Lord Mayor's show' for Doncaster Rovers youngsters as they suffered their heaviest defeat of the season - losing 5-1 to Burton Albion at Cantley Park.

The Brewers were the better team as they ruthlessly exploited Rovers' three-at-the-back policy on several occasions during a dominant first half and were clinical with what they created infront of goal. Callum Niven got a hat-trick in addition to goals by Ben Radcliffe and Jakub Niemczyk and it was described by many on-lookers from their neck of the woods as their 'best performance of the season'.

They deserve the plaudits they'll get on the back of producing a great result and their display certainly belies the EFL Youth Alliance table considering they went into this encounter bottom of the pile!

In fairness, although they were well-beaten and second-best, Rovers' performance wasn't actually too bad in small doses and they certainly had enough openings (and even possession at times) to bag more than just the one goal they scored courtesy of Owen Scattergood.

On another day, big moments panning out differently could maybe have resulted in a different outcome as skipper Dan Wilds and Tavonga Kuleya both missed penalties at 0-2, whilst other opportunities went begging - especially before half-time. Alex Wolny, on his return to the matchday squad after a lengthy spell out injured, also missed a sitter to reduce arrears in the closing stages.

Weather conditions for the two halves contrasted greatly - the first half was played in torrential rain whereas blue skies (and even some sunshine!) was the setting after the re-start. Boss Gary McSheffrey named an unchanged starting line-up after the 5-0 midweek win over Harrogate Town whilst Burton opted to field two first-year professionals which you can do under current EFL Youth Alliance rules.

The Brewers adapted much better in the lashing rain and looked a threat from the outset as they moved the ball quickly and effectively into dangerous areas and broke at speed in turnovers.

It took just eight minutes for the visitors to open the scoring.

Within 30 seconds of a Rovers attack breaking down midway inside Burton's half, the ball was in the net at the other (albeit amidst shouts for a foul during the build-up). A low cross was cleared out the box but it fell to Ben Radcliffe who unleashed a bullet 25-yard strike which flew past Tom Chambers.

The goal stood and after Bobby Faulkner produced a key block to stop Burton from quickly doubling their lead, Rovers responded with a bit of pressure as Owen Scattergood poked a shot wide on the back of some sustained pressure, decent possession and good build-up play at the other end.

Nevertheless, whenever Rovers weren't in possession or whenever they lost the ball they looked in danger and the Staffordshire outfit soon went 2-0 up when Callum Niven pounced inside the box to score the first of his three goals following a swift and predatory attack.

The torrential rain began to show some signs of easing at this point and the hosts - searching for a fourth straight win, could have quickly reduced arrears when they were awarded a spot-kick. Will Hollings' good work on the right flank culminated with a powerful drive which was spilled by the 'keeper before a foul was then committed. Dan Wilds shouldered the responsibility from the resulting spot-kick but his powerful effort was palmed away by the Brewers 'keeper before the defence cleared away the danger.

On the ball, Rovers looked decent enough despite the fact they tried to force it forward at points - probably out of a sense of panic due to the scoreline more than anything. As things approached the half-hour mark, they were certainly seeing more of the ball than their yellow-shirted counterparts and despite a couple more corners, they couldn't make the breakthrough they craved.

Eventually, the lads were awarded a second penalty on 35 minutes as a Burton defender was penalised for a push inside the box - something which was incredibly harsh considering it was no different to the usual 'tussling' you get at most set-pieces. Despite protests, the referee stood by his decision and Tavonga Kuleya was ultimately denied from 12 yards as his low effort to the 'keepers left-hand side was comfortably kept out - the Brewers' 'keeper no doubt buzzing at his heroics!

Rovers kept their foot on the gas, however, and finally pulled a goal back around five minutes prior to the interval when Corie Cole's good work and neat through ball picked out Scattergood who found the back of the net with aplomb from just inside the box.

With confidence on the rise and now chasing a one-goal deficit, what Rovers needed to do at this point was keep things tight at the back, not make any mistakes, and then rally in the second half. Instead, Burton got two crucial goals a few moments either side of half-time which, effectively, killed the game as a contest and put the result beyond all reasonable doubt with some 40-odd minutes still to play.

Niven made it 3-1 when he got onto the end of a low cross into the six-yard box by the Brewers' lively No.7 and, despite initially having his back to goal, he managed to spin and smash the ball emphatically into the net from close-range. Then, two minutes into the second period - and in improving weather conditions, Jakub Niemczyk blasted home a shot from the edge of the area which beat Chambers for power and nestled in the bottom corner.

In between these two goals - and before half-time, Kuleya twice went close for Rovers when he crept into unmarked positions and tested the 'keeper but both times he was denied. Had either chance gone in then things might have been different... though it was just one of those days!

At 4-1 down then Rovers opted to make a series of substitutions to give game-time to others. Michael Nesbitt was forced off with a knock and replaced by Alex Fletcher, who overall performed quite well in the right-wing-back role, whilst Tom Parkinson, Josh Lindley and Max Adamson (the U16s striker who scored on his Youth Alliance debut against Harrogate Town) was also introduced. 

Alex Wolny also made his long-awaited comeback which was another positive aspect of the latter stages.

Burton should have been awarded a penalty for handball with a quarter of the game remaining (which was as cast-iron a penalty as you'll ever see - though it incredibly wasn't given) and in spite of this, they bagged a fifth goal as Niven completed his hat-trick on 82 minutes.

The final goal came just before a concerning moment when Parkinson landed awkwardly on his back and eventually had to be stretchered off the pitch - resulting in a four or five-minute stoppage in play as Rovers were forced to play out the final moments with 10 men.

A second goal which would have been no more than a deficit-reducing consolation was almost scored on the brink of injury-time. Jack Raper, who didn't perform badly with some bits and pieces, was denied a goal for a second successive Saturday with a low drive from inside the area which was parried by the 'keeper. The rebound fell to Wolny who snatched at his effort and sent the ball horribly wide of the target, despite having the goal at his mercy - he will not want to see the replay!

Overall, the result is certainly a big reality check for Rovers on the back of what has been a promising few weeks of clear and visible progress since the defeat to Bradford City right at the start of the month. There's a need for improvement again - and certainly a better, more-rounded performance will be needed if Basford United are to be beaten in the FA Youth Cup next week, but there isn't a need to get too down, disheartened or disencouraged by what unfolded.

The use of a back-three simply didn't work; Burton exploited it to great effect and the wing-backs, whilst offering quality going forward on quite a few occasions, were found wanting when it came to carrying out defensive duties. 

The visitors were better at turnovers, showed quality in the transition (despite the spaces which were allowed), played with a confidence and they deserve a decent amount of credit for how they played and the clinical ruthlessness they showed infront of goal.

Fair play to them on what is, by all accounts, their best performance of the season so far and good luck to them in their own FA Youth Cup tie against Sheffield Wednesday next week - a tie which is just about the hardest possible one they could have got in the First Round draw!

Team: Tom Chambers, Will Hollings, Jak Whiting, Dan Wilds (C), Bobby Faulkner, Michael Nesbitt, Owen Scattergood, Jack Raper, Jack Goodman, Corie Cole, Tavonga Kuleya. Subs Used: Alex Fletcher, Josh Lindley, Max Adamson, Alex Wolny, Tom Parkinson.