Doncaster Rovers (U18s) 0-1 Grimsby Town (U18s)
EFL Youth Alliance
Friday 29th April 2022
Every now and then there’s a game which you really enjoy watching and this was one of those as Doncaster Rovers' youth team came up just short in achieving a decent result against Grimsby Town.
The game was settled thanks to two bits of injury-time drama involving Aaron Braithwaite who rifled home from the edge of the area at one end before (literally) putting his body on the line to block a shot at point-blank range at the other which, had he not done so, would have resulted in a certain equaliser.
Even though the dynamic of the game and how it panned out meant Braithwaite wasn't able to 'pull the strings' or influence things as much as I've seen him do on other occasions previously - something which was testament to a very bright individual display by Rovers captain Dan Wilds, it was nonetheless a telling contribution from the Mariners midfielder.
And that’s why I'll always speak positively about Aaron Braithwaite because, ultimately, he produced the goods at a time in this game when it mattered, in order to get his team the points!
On the flip side, it proves just how small the margins can sometimes be and Rovers' collective performance was worthy of much more than a last-gasp defeat. The lads played on the front foot from early on, implemented their style to decent effect, were often first to win the second balls, regularly got into threatening and positive areas and created a string of good openings which they just couldn’t manage to convert into goals.
That was mainly down to good goalkeeping as Declyn Dennis put in a solid shift between the posts for Grimsby and kept out efforts from Alex Wolny, Tom Parkinson and Corie Cole before half-time, and then used his feet to deny Jack Goodman in Rovers' best opportunity of the second period.
Grimsby also had their chances with Edwin Essel being thwarted by Luke Chadwick on 25 minutes, Will Hodgson curling an attempt inches over the upright not long after the break, and Harvey Tomlinson heading against the crossbar in the closing stages.
But, just as it seemed as if things were heading for a stalemate, Braithwaite, fresh from having recently signed his first pro contract, popped up with the match-winner followed by his crucial block on the line, and 1-0 was how it ended.
Match Report
Having lost twice already to Grimsby this term, Rovers knew experience would be crucial if they were finally going to get one over on their bogey team so every fit and available second-year scholar was therefore included in the starting xi.
Although they've lost out on the title to Bradford City, the Mariners have the runners-up spot mathematically wrapped up already and their line-up had a mixture of quality and experience. Included were Jamie Bramwell, Aaron Braithwaite, Edwin Essel and Harvey Tomlinson - whom all signed professional deals earlier this month, plus first-year pro Evan Khouri.
Jaz Goundry, the big defender who controlled the same game at Cantley Park right at the start of this season was named on the substitutes bench.
With many scouts watching on from the sidelines, Rovers got to grips with things from the outset and enjoyed plenty of early possession; dictating much of the first 10 minutes albeit without ever really getting in-behind their opponents' backline.
Alex Markham blocked a shot from Alex Wolny during that period but on 13 minutes visiting 'keeper Declyn Dennis was called into action and made the first of what proved to be several stops as he smothered an effort from Rovers' powerful frontman.
Concentration was required in the Mariners' defence again only a minute later when Corie Cole received possession following Michael Nesbitt's throw and worked his way to the byline where his eventual cut-back towards the near-post area had to be intercepted.
Tom Parkinson also saw a 30-yard free-kick saved in routine style just past the quarter-hour mark before Rovers then went much closer as Cole drifted goalwards and hit a rasping right-foot drive from the edge of the area which seemed set for the top corner until it was palmed away by the full-stretch Mariners No.1. Cue a frustrated scream by Wolny!
Grimsby hadn't done much but as the first half passed its midway point, they got a foothold and had a spell of pressure themselves which culminated in a chance when Essel beat his marker for pace to accelerate through only to be denied by the formidable frame of Rovers 'keeper Luke Chadwick.
Doncaster, though, looked decent. Apart from sometimes taking an eternity due to a lack of options at throw-ins, the lads in red shirts were dictating the intensity, having more possession and certainly winning more second balls than their opponents.
A few further chances came and went either side of the half-hour mark.
It started on 29 minutes as Will Hollings flashed a speculative effort harmlessly wide before Tom Henson (who was putting in a good shift high up on the right flank) was soon involved in a great move which saw his near-post ball agonisingly skewed over the upright by Jack Goodman.
The Mariners then enjoyed an opening from almost nothing moments later after some sloppy play at the back by Rovers; giving the ball away in a deep and dangerous position, resulted in Charlie Petch needing to make a challenge at the feet of Tomlinson inside the area. The ball ricocheted towards Hodgson who wasn't able to quite pick his spot and the hosts knew they'd been let off the hook.
As the game approached the interval, Rovers looked the more promising team and they continued to play the ball around with a patience, a posititivity and a clear blueprint which was pleasing to watch. On the occasions they opted for an aerial approach, it didn't pay off because Bramwell, operating at centre-back, won everything and dictated that side of the game. By contrast, the Mariners looked more threatening at set-plays but the quality of Tomlinson's deliveries weren't quite good enough to lead to an opening or chance of any sort.
The last opportunity of note before half-time saw Rovers embark on a counter-attack through Wolny. He tried to slip a pass through to Hollings, advancing alongside him, but Grimsby's 'keeper read the situation perfectly and gathered the ball into his grasp in the nick of time.
Jaz Goundry was introduced for the second half as the visitors opted to solidify their defensive presence and they almost broke the deadlock within five minutes of the re-start. Khouri cut inside and watched as his initial drive ricocheted off Essel's body, and the resulting loose ball fell to Hodgson whose crisp and curling drive flew just a whisker beyond the top corner.
The hosts then made a substitution themselves with Owen Scattergood replacing Charlie Petch which also resulted in Michael Nesbitt having to take up a central-defensive role, and although Rovers were still knocking the ball around reasonably well and looking a threat, Grimsby were beginning to create a few more things in an attacking sense.
Arguably the best move of the game up to this point nearly resulted in an opener in the Mariners' favour just prior to the hour mark. Markham was the instigator because his pass down the line found Milner and he, instinctively, slipped the ball towards Essel who was through on goal. The striker looked odds on to score but Chadwick pulled off a save at the expense of a corner where Tom Parkinson produced a good headed clearance from Jaz Goundry's connection.
The second flag-kick came to nothing and Rovers then had 'bits and bobs' of pressure up at the other end; Dennis being forced to punch the ball clear under pressure from Wolny in one instance before the forward skewed a shot wide in a counter-attack move a minute later, and Scattergood having an effort blocked as he tried to make the best impact possible.
By the midway point in the half, things had become quite scrappy and stop-start with many niggly fouls being penalised by the referee which began to frustrate a few players from both teams.
In open play, Rovers were continuing to pick up most of the second balls but they needed to show that extra little bit of quality to properly carve open their opponents' very strong backline. Grimsby's biggest threat seemed to be in the transition with Harry Milner (when in central positions) being a key competent and they almost sprung a counter-attack to devastating effect on 68 minutes.
Goodman drifted into an offside position just as he pulled the trigger on a shot which cannoned against the upright and the Mariners took the resulting kick quickly and effectively. Within the blink of the eye, the ball was suddenly at Milner's feet and he was advancing past the halfway line with Essel alongside him. Milner unselfishly tried to release his team-mate with a pass which carried a fraction too much weight and allowed Chadwick to advance from his line and gather the ball just before Essel could get to it.
Khouri whistled a drive wide four minutes later as Grimsby continued to show promise but it was at the opposite end where the next big, gilt-edged chance unfolded - and one of the best which Rovers created in the game. Cole was key to it with a piercing pass through towards Goodman who'd done well to get into space between the two defenders. Although the ball initially ricocheted off the back of Goodman's heel, the striker was still able to get in a shot on target and had Dennis not saved expertly, this time with his feet, it would have been the opener. Somehow, the visitors scrambled away the danger.
In spite of Rovers' overall display being quite encouraging, they would have came a cropper during the last 10 minutes had it not been for a coat of paint on the crossbar which prevented Tomlinson from converting after he leapt brilliantly inside the box to get a glancing header on target from Essel's cross.
With Ethan Harrison, making his long-awaited comeback from injury, and Faris Khan also on the pitch by this point, the boys in red sought to finish with a flourish and grab a late winner and Wolny came closest to it when he skewed a low drive narrowly wide of the target.
A stalemate now seemed inevitable but then, in injury-time, it became the Aaron Braithwaite show!
Two of five minutes (which were mainly for substitutions) had elapsed when Essel worked his way up the left flank towards the corner flag and pulled the ball back towards the edge of the box. With one swing of his right-foot, Braithwaite executed a perfect strike with venom and accuracy which flew into the bottom corner past Chadwick and the Mariners were ahead.
Some might say fortuitously, but Rovers hadn't managed to convert the many chances which they created.
Incredibly, more drama was to follow up at the other end as Rovers pressed hard and won a corner in what was 'now or never' time. There were only seconds remaining as it was delivered into the 'mixer' and following a partial clearance coupled with Scattergood's shanked effort back goalwards, the ball dropped at the feet of Dan Wilds who hit a goalbound shot beneath the 'keeper only to see it blocked on the line by Braithwaite.
And that was the last action as the whistle then sounded for full-time; a gut-wrenching end to an otherwise strong performance by Rovers where they applied themselves well, created chances but just couldn't get that breakthrough they perhaps deserved against a well organised team.
Doncaster Rovers Thoughts
There's lots that can be written about players from both teams and, as stated right at the start of this report, this is a game which I enjoyed watching.
Although they didn't get the result they wanted, the best compliment I can give to Rovers for this collective performance is that it was so much better and miles more mature than in the same fixture against Grimsby at the start of this season when they were soundly beaten.
On that day, it was like men against boys. In this game, it was evident that the boys have matured and are capable of nowadays going toe-to-toe and battling against a top team in this league who, in any other season, would be the North-East Youth Alliance champions. It proves that progress has been made and it's a really good sign moving into next season.
There was a lot of quality on show and some good individual contributions.
To start with Rovers' players, Dan Wilds put in a dominant display in centre-midfield and I'd say it's one of the best performances he's had in his two-year scholarship. He was my 'Man Of The Match' because he won plenty of duels, set a tempo, battled hard and added an energy and a certain 'bite' to how he played and it was pleasing to watch because he was up against a good opponent for a lot of the game.
Tom Henson also did plenty out on the right flank and was an instigator in a lot of the problems Rovers caused in the first half - not just through his on the ball contributions but through his movement. Since coming back into the team following injury around New Year, his performance levels have been of the same standard which won him the Players' Player Of The Year award last season.
Elsewhere, Luke Chadwick read various situations quite well and deserves plaudits and it's a shame he didn't get a clean-sheet to mark a good performance. Again, he's grown in character and in confidence and it's been a pleasure to watch that transition over the past couple of years!
Grimsby Town Thoughts
As for Grimsby, they're a team I enjoy watching (it helps knowing one or two of their players) and they made some good individual contributions.
The Mariners' best player was Jamie Bramwell who just simplified things in defence. The phrase 'Head It, Kick It' describes his performance to a tee considering he won his headers and was just a big and solid unit throughout and there's similarities between him and Bobby Faulkner (who is at DRFC now) within his game and how he plays. I can understand why he earned the professional contract and he made a good impression on me in this game.
When Jaz Goundry (who'll get noticed due to the skull cap) came on alongside him at half-time, and acquitted himself just as positively, showed he wanted to be there and have a battle, and I always felt it'd be difficult for Rovers to create opportunities against two defenders of a Rolls Royce and Mercedes standard for Youth Alliance level. It's testament to Rovers that they actually did create a couple of openings in the second half because these two units, together, are as good as you get for youth team football.
As for the others, Harvey Tomlinson (bar dead ball situations) got better as time passed and showed plenty of energy to 'rat about' out wide, be a nuisance and an attacking danger which culminated in the effort where he hit the woodwork. There were some unique qualities in his game to make him stand out compared to other players. Edwin Essel was direct with rapid pace which is his biggest asset and he got to the byline a few times before delivering piercing crosses and cut-backs which were dangerous and to a really high standard. I can see why they were both given pro deals - and Edwin's definitely learned a few things off his defenders because the accidental block from Evan Khouri's shot, just after half-time, would have been superb had it been at the opposite end.
In midfield, Aaron Braithwaite had a quiet game where he was required to drop deeper more often than not and peel off the shoulder of his man, and he wasn't actually played the ball all that much which meant he couldn't 'pull the strings' as I've seen him do in some games previously. His positional sense and understanding was always good though and, despite lying deeper, of the passes he did have to make then his pass completion I'd say was decent (bar the one right on half-time).
Even after a quiet game for his standards though, he then pops up in injury-time with two MASSIVE contributions to get the headlines and win the game. That's what good players do, to make themselves stand out, and that's why Aaron Braithwaite is a good player who I love watching.
However, he does need to improve his interview technique because it's still shocking; he sways from side to side more than a drunken sailor aboard a ship early in the morning - and I'll batter him again for it, but all credit to him because on the pitch, he can do things and I'll follow his career with a lot of interest.
Looking into next season, Grimsby will be a good team again because they've got some good first-year scholars. In this game I liked what Harry Milner offered, particularly in central areas, during a 20-minute or so period on in the second half. He was direct and technically good and a serious threat who the ball was going to. I've no doubt he could be the best player in a GTFC shirt next year because he has a particular quality which is present already and he'll only get better.
Likewise, Alex Markham, who did alright in the defeat to Bradford the other week and played at right-back in this game, gave a good account of himself (bar a bad touch late on which nearly put him in trouble). I suspect he'll be a lead centre-back next year and I respect what I've seen from him over the past few weeks; plus he's got two good lads to learn from in Jamie Bramwell and Jaz Goundry. I've also seen glimpses from Will Hodgson and he's in this team on merit, deserves credit, and would have bagged a goal to rival his effort at Brigg Town in pre-season had that curling strike just after half-time not sailed a whisker over the upright.
It's impossible to also not mention the 'keeper, Declyn Dennis. He made four or five important saves in this game and in the one which he didn't get to, Mr Braithwaite was on-hand to mop up the danger afterwards. He's not the tallest 'keeper but if anyone takes that foregranted then they're foolish because it was the best goalkeeping display I've seen against DRFC in a game since Owen Mason stood out for Mansfield Town around this time last year.
And I don't think anyone would disagree with that statement either!
Good luck to the lads at Grimsby in their final game of the season at home to Rotherham United (the merchants of long balls and even longer balls) next week. I hope they win that game because there is plenty of quality within their ranks.
As for Rovers, if they can replicate this performance on the final day at Bradford City, they'll give themselves a really good chance of getting a result. It'll be a big night at Valley Parade and hopefully some of the lads who'll be leaving the club soon can go out in style infront of a big crowd.
