It's that time of year again where the First Round of the FA Youth Cup is upon us!
As is standard procedure nowadays in cup competitions for Doncaster Rovers at all levels, the lads have been drawn away with Nottingham-based Basford United this time being the opponents.
Here's a preview with everything you need to know on DRFC, Basford (pronounced 'Base Ford' for anyone who isn't sure), plus details of the Second Round draw which takes place this afternoon.
WHAT TO EXPECT?
Just like last season's First Round trip to Coventry Sphinx, it'll be a hostile and smoky atmosphere (quite literally considering it's Bonfire Night!) which awaits Rovers at Greenwich Avenue.
And make no mistake about it, Basford aren't to be underestimated. They're a force to be reckoned with who are capable of achieving a good result.
They knocked both Port Vale and Grimsby Town out of the FA Youth Cup en route to an eventual Third Round defeat to West Bromwich Albion last term and quite a few of their players who featured in that cup run are eligible again this time around.
In the National League Youth Alliance (Division F) they currently occupy top spot with a 100% record from the two matches played to date. However, it's their goalscoring exploits that have particularly caught the eye as they've bagged a whopping 47 (forty-seven) goals in just eight encounters - including smashing 10 goals past Ilkeston Town in a single game!
Having watched them hammer Redditch United, 7-1, a couple of weeks ago in their last fixture, they're a good team with some gifted players capable of playing fluid, attractive and attacking football. Despite perhaps not being the most physical or 'direct' of teams - relying on technical play to get the job done, they do possess players capable of 'stepping up' and battling or being aggressive if it's required and I've no doubt whatsoever they'll be well-fired up for this game.
On the whole, Basford are beatable (and their attacking style might prove to be their undoing) but they're certainly capable of beating Rovers too - so expect a potentially close and exciting contest which might even go all the way to those dreaded penalties!
The game will be played on Basford's 4G pitch so there shouldn't be any worries or concerns about a postponement due to poor weather. Basford play yellow so Rovers will have a choice of whether to wear either their home or away strip.
WHO HAS THE ADVANTAGE?
Playing in familiar surroundings at home once again, under the floodlights and quite probably infront of a half-decent crowd are certainly advantages in Basford's favour.
On the pitch, it could be argued that the hosts actually possess more 'experience' than DRFC with a number of their youngsters having recently been blooded at first team level. That's no small feat considering they compete at 'Step 3' in the same division as Matlock Town, Gainsborough Trinity and Mickleover Sports amongst others - clubs where Rovers have sent some of their own youngsters in past seasons. In comparison, only Luke Chadwick (Staveley Miners Welfare) and Bobby Faulkner (Rossington Main) have played mens football already in Rovers' ranks.
If Rovers are able to handle the occasion then considering they're a full-time academy who compete in a games programme against some decent technical opponents, that experience might prove to be valuable.
Furthermore, Basford aren't used to losing so should they fall behind it'll be they who find themselves in unfamiliar territory and with work to do.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Basford's three players with decent first team experience; Jordan Haywood (who is captain), Nathaniel Peters (in midfield) and Lewis Rourke (up front), are likely to have a big influence on how they perform on the night.
As already mentioned, goals have flowed regularly and throughout their team this season.
Rourke is top scorer with eight goals to his name (including one in the last three qualifying rounds) and level with him in the scoring charts are Kiarnne Nyemba and Rory Harrison - therefore, expect the hosts' frontline as a whole to be dangerous and looking to get the most out of every single opportunity.
There is also a DRFC connection in Basford's ranks with Jericho Bonner (noticeable for his distinctive hairstyle) having played in the academy ranks at the Keepmoat Stadium prior to joining his current team.
For Rovers, Jack Goodman needs just one more goal to equal the top scorer's tally (in competitive games) from last season. He's bagged six times already and close behind him in the scoring charts is Owen Scattergood who is in superb form having struck three times in as many matches since returning to the team following a spell out. Jack Raper will also be keen to put in another good performance from midfield having found a bit of form in recent weeks.
I expect there'll be two or three major individual duels in key areas across the pitch - notably for Bobby Faulkner and his defensive colleagues. Winning the majority of those duels could prove crucial when it comes to the end result.
HOW DID BASFORD REACH ROUND ONE?
Basford have overcome four qualifying rounds (all of which have been played at Greenwich Avenue) to reach the First Round proper for the second successive campaign - although they rode their luck in their last Youth Cup outing against Halesowen Town.
They were leading 2-0 and looked comfortable until a late fightback forced penalties where they won 5-3 - converting every spot-kick in the process.
Prior to that, they beat St Andrews (7-1) in Qualifying Round Two, Deeping Rangers (8-1) in Qualifying Round One and Kimberley Miners Welfare (7-0) in the Preliminary Qualifying Round.
ROVERS IN THE FA YOUTH CUP IN RECENT TIMES
Rovers have enjoyed mixed form in the competition in the FA Youth Cup in recent times.
In a Covid-hit cup run, the lads reached the Third Round of the competition last term after showing excellent grit and determination to win in challenging conditions at Coventry Sphinx (2-1) before pulling off something of a cup shock when they were triumphant over Hull City (3-2) at the Kcom Stadium. Despite taking the lead through Liam Ravenhill's penalty, they were eventually eliminated from the competition after a 2-1 defeat at Peterborough United.
In both 2018/19 and 2019/20, it was a First Round elimination with defeats to Mansfield Town (4-3) and Rochdale (3-0) respectively.
Last season's run to Round Three was the club's best since 2014/15 when a team including Liam Mandeville and the McKay brothers beat a Norwich City team containing Todd Cantwell at the Keepmoat Stadium en route to a Fourth Round defeat at Swansea City (where Dan James played for the hosts).
This game is Rovers' fifth successive away draw in the competition.
LAST TIME OUT
Basford United 7-1 Redditch United, Wednesday 20th October.
This was a comfortable win for Basford who dominated for large parts, had plenty of possession and found themselves four goals to the good at half-time before adding more in the second period.
Team: Gianni Musson, Harvey Ridgley, Louis Nicholson, Callum Ferguson, Ferdinand Bartley, Jordan Haywood, Rory Harrison, Nathaniel Peters, Jericho Bonner, Lewis Rourke, Josh Timson. Subs Used: Romar Suban, Kiarnne Nyemba, Sam Newell, Tyler Dacres.
Recent Form: W, D, W, W, W.
Doncaster Rovers 1-5 Burton Albion, Saturday 30th October
A morning to forget for Rovers' youngsters as they were comfortably beaten by Burton Albion which brought an end to a three-game winning streak. Owen Scattergood got Rovers' consolation strike after Dan Wilds and Tavonga Kuleya had spot-kicks saved.
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.
Recent Form: L, W, W, W, L.
WHEN IS THE GAME?
Remember, remember the 5th of November!
The game takes place TONIGHT, Friday 5th November at Greenwich Avenue is Basford. Postcode: NG6 0LD. Kick-Off is at 7.30pm.
WHO AWAITS IN ROUND TWO?
The draw for the FA Youth Cup Second Round takes place this afternoon at 1.00pm so although the Second Round opponents aren't yet known they soon will be.
Ties are regionalised so Northern/Midland opponents await the winners.
OTHER FA YOUTH CUP FIRST ROUND FIXTURES/RESULTS (North Section Only)
Accrington Stanley 4-3 Wigan Athletic
AFC Blackpool 1-2 Harrogate Town
Aylestone Park 4-4 Lincoln City (3-1 on pens)
Boston United 2-5 Mansfield Town
Carlisle United 4-4 Oldham Athletic (3-5 on pens)
City Of Liverpool 0-1 Morecambe
Crewe Alexandra 3-0 Grimsby Town
Guiseley 2-1 Rochdale
Fleetwood Town 3-3 Tranmere Rovers (4-3 on pens)
Harrogate Town W-W Bolton Wanderers*
Kings Lynn Town 0-3 Northampton Town
Long Eaton United 0-2 Rugby Town
Rotherham United 3-0 Boldmere St Michaels
Salford City 3-0 Blyth Spartans
Shrewsbury Town 0-1 Scunthorpe United
South Shields 1-3 Stockport County
Sunderland 0-2 Bradford City
Walsall 1-1 Port Vale (0-3 on pens)
Burton Albion X-X Sheffield Wednesday
*Hartlepool United withdrew; Bolton Wanderers awarded a walkover.
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