Mansfield Town (U18s) 0-1 Doncaster Rovers (U18s)

Mansfield Town (U18s) 0-1 Doncaster Rovers (U18s)
EFL Youth Alliance
Saturday 22nd January 2022

A good showing of defensive resilience coupled with a predatory finish by Jack Goodman proved crucial as Doncaster Rovers' youngsters recorded a 1-0 win over Mansfield Town.

Always a tough test, the Stags have without doubt been a 'bogey' team for Rovers in recent times - winning each of the previous five encounters including two comfortable successes in September.

Therefore, the lads knew they'd need to be at their best in order to get a result and the collective performance which they delivered was a positive one. Everyone put in a shift, worked hard, and deserve credit for the parts they played - though Goodman will snatch the headlines given that he claimed the only goal by heading home from a rebound just past the 30-minute mark.

Whilst it's a fair assessment to say that both teams could have retained the ball better, when Mansfield tried to build up a head of steam during the second period they were thwarted by a spirited Rovers side whose out-of-possession set-up was superb. 

'Keeper Luke Chadwick didn't have a save to make in the end because the big opportunity that every team trailing by just one goal always believes they're going to get, never materialised. The reason for that was down to how good Rovers' set-up was in terms of defensive shape, structure, concentration and resilience when they didn't have the ball - quite simply they just couldn't be broken down!

The lads certainly eradicated the vulnerabilities (notably at set-plays) which contributed to the 3-1 reverse to Salford City earlier this week and the three points show another step in the right direction.

Match Report

Unfortunately, due to slipping down the hill that overlooks Mansfield's 4G pitch, landing on my backside and being in a fair amount of pain for a while afterwards, I didn't get to watch the opening half-hour of this game - and the little bit I was able to see (albeit from a distance) up to half-time, I wasn't in a fit state to properly concentrate on.

Firstly, apart from feeling sore in a few places and having a pair of mucky trainers that I'll need to sort out at some point, I'm okay now (at 11.00am on Sunday) and, slowly, moving about again.

Secondly, I want to say a big thank you to the parents and everyone else who came to help - in particular Mansfield's physio who sat with me for a good half-hour, made sure I was okay and did what was necessary in the situation. It means a lot and is thoroughly appreciated.

My unfortunate argument with gravity does make writing this report more complicated but from a combination of what I've been told by others (and saw myself to a small degree), it seems there was little in the way of goalmouth action for the first 30 minutes. Mansfield by all accounts shaded this period.

Rovers, wearing their traditional red, certainly acquitted themselves well to the task of facing their 'bogey' opponents nevertheless; not being dictated to or 'bullied' as has sometimes been the case in previous meetings and just past the half-hour mark, the lads had a spell of pressure in which the opener occured.

Bobby Faulkner (I think) had already gone close with a header that forced a decent enough save from Theo Avery before another set-piece saw Will Hollings' free-kick tipped onto the woodwork by the Stags' 'keeper and the subsequent loose ball was knocked home by top scorer for this term Jack Goodman.

Tom Parkinson also went close with a low drive just before half-time whilst Mansfield had bits and pieces of pressure - their No.10 (Oliver Wilson) looking a key threat, but it was 1-0 at the interval.

After being passed fit enough to watch the second 45 minutes, I'm able to relay what unfolded and the Stags, needing an equaliser, certainly pressed during the early exchanges and had the territorial advantage for a decent amount of time. They sometimes struggled to retain possession - although when they did work the ball into the box on 50 minutes, skipper-in-the-making Jak Whiting was there to produce a crucially-timed tackle at the expense of a corner which came to nothing.

There was a feisty spirit about the game by this stage and the referee did particularly well to keep a lid on matters when, under a different official, tempers may have boiled over. Mansfield's No.8 (Charlie Carter) was booked after catching Hollings with a late tackle. He was substituted not long afterwards and they made another change, surprising to some, when Wilson was brought off - despite seeming to be their best attacking threat alongside Jack Deakin who scored in this fixture last term.

As the hour mark passed, the Stags still hadn't forced Chadwick into a save - instead the Donny 'keeper's work was predominantly basic things like claiming crosses, showing good handling and clearing balls downfield.

Alex Wolny's introduction for Owen Scattergood paved the way for a momentum shift (of sorts) as Rovers began to wrestle back control and press for a second goal. The substitute, who scored against Salford in midweek, had an effort fumbled wide by Avery on 68 minutes and went close again with a skewed attempt when the ball was partially cleared to him on the edge of the area with about a quarter-of-an-hour to go.

A couple more opportunities followed. Tom Henson (who was brilliant) went on a marauding run through midfield where he shared a one-two with Wolny and delivered a cross from the right-wing which was fired into the side-netting by Jack Raper. The referee (possibly wrongly!) gave a corner and the subsequent far-post delivery reached an unmarked Bobby Faulkner who almost seemed to have too much time and space as he agonisingly headed it wide.

Knowing time was against them, Mansfield again tried to press in the final 10 minutes. They had quite a bit of the ball but couldn't break down Rovers' shape to test Chadwick. A lack of ideas, a few 'forced' balls and probably some inexperience (they had some young-ish players on the pitch by this point) were all contributing factors although they kept going to the end.

The clean-sheet will give Rovers a good confidence boost considering that registering shut-outs has been something of an issue over the past season or two. Mansfield are always a difficult team to play against so to end the losing streak against them is another positive as well.

Team: Luke Chadwick, Tom Henson, Jak Whiting, Dan Wilds (C), Bobby Faulkner, Tom Parkinson (Alex Fletcher), Jack Raper, Will Hollings (Josh Lindley), Jack Goodman, Corie Cole (Michael Nesbitt), Owen Scattergood (Alex Wolny). Unused Sub: Charlie Petch.

Overall Analysis

For obvious reasons I can't comment on anything what unfolded during the first 45 minutes; I did see the goal (and the chances around that time) but wasn't anywhere near close enough to the pitch to comment on who did well or performed strongly before half-time.

In the second half, apart from some of the passing being initially sloppy - which led to Mansfield getting the ball back and being able to enjoy territorial pressure, the collective defensive display as a whole (as already mentioned) was excellent and the lads at the back should take pride in the clean-sheet they kept because both Oliver Wilson and Jack Deakin (the Stags' two tall strikers who started) are more than capable strikers for this level of football.

Tom Henson's contribution was superb. His direct and driving runs, attitude and willingness on the ball were quality and it's brilliant to see that he has 'hit the ground running' so to speak, having missed pretty much the entire first half of the campaign through injury. I'd go as far as saying he's reaching the standards that he set last season - and long may it continue.

Another player who performed well was Jak Whiting. He was always communicating with his team-mates, encouraging them, clapping and is an absolute leader. I did think he was going to get a yellow card at one point considering he had a running 'conversation' with the referee but he was clever enough to know where to draw the line. Some of his contributions were fantastic; the "Oi Scatts, walk off over to that side" shout when Owen Scattergood was substituted (and went off on the near touchline - opposite to the dugouts) was a clever bit of 'gamesmanship' type-thinking and the best compliment I can give him is that if I'd been in the opposition, he'd have rattled me - and I'm experienced enough to know better! He's a good and intelligent player who can read a game and position himself well to deal with issues (evident in the shot-preventing challenge), someone with numerous good characteristics and he once again made another good impression. I've got a lot of time and respect for it!

Elsewhere, Will Hollings often gets clattered by opponents - and it happened again in this game (probably more so than in any other game this season). His first touch was excellent and he contributed well at both ends of the pitch which was a positive. Jack Raper also showed a lot of energy and, still only a first-year, he's certainly got the ability to put himself in a strong position at this time next year. Corie Cole was another who contributed and linked up well with others across the pitch.

Alex Wolny's strength and power to pin his player when he came on was another good contribution. It helped the cause and impacted the game, gave the team a good outlet in retaining the ball high up the pitch and on another occasion either of his two efforts might have found the target. Jack Goodman can also take plaudits after another goal which (I think) was his eighth or ninth of the season - and he's capable of getting at least a dozen but probably a lot more in the 11 Youth Alliance which remain this term.

It was a good win and there's significant and instantly recognisable improvement that is evident across the team since the nadir moment of losing at Mansfield earlier in the season. 

However, it is only just one win for now. The challenge for the lads over the next few weeks will be to try and replicate the positive aspects of this performance (defensive resilience) and the positive aspects of the Salford game (chances created) on a consistent basis. If they can tie the two bits together, they'll put themselves in with a good chance of going on a half-decent run of form where they then climb the table in the latter half of the season.