Lincoln City (U18s) 3-6 Doncaster Rovers (U18s)

Lincoln City (U18s) 3-6 Doncaster Rovers (U18s)

EFL Youth Alliance

Saturday 2nd April 2022

Every now and then in youth team football you get football matches which are just crazy and this was one of them as Doncaster Rovers came from behind to romp to an EMPHATIC 6-3 win at Lincoln City.

Trailing 2-0 at one stage, the lads' heads could easily have disappeared up their own backsides but instead of feeling sorry for themselves, they knuckled down and delivered a commanding performance from the half-hour mark onwards. They worked together as a unit, dominated and dictated things in midfield, found space so often, the shape and off-the-ball work was tremendous, the finishing was ruthless, the passing, movement and creativity was good, they cut and carved Lincoln apart frequently, and the desire and attitude right the way across the team was relentless!

I’ve no doubts that some lads recorded their best statistics this year in terms of their distance covered and direct involvement in attacks. The fitness levels across the team were superb and at every turnover in possession, they broke quickly, instinctively and looked capable of scoring.

I haven't enjoyed a game so much for a long time and, considering the sheer amount of chances created, by the final whistle it's not an overstatement to say the lads could have comfortably bagged 10 goals!

The performance was THAT good. It the best of the season, in my opinion, and they deserve every inch of credit they'll receive in the aftermath of this result - such was the quality they showed to achieve it! There were so many positive aspects and several players made strong contributions (a few having the best of their scholarships up to now) and it ought to fill them all with confidence.

It's also the first time a DRFC team have scored six goals in a Youth Alliance game since January 2020.

After Lincoln had opened up their two-goal cushion - and had gone close to going 3-0 up from a free-kick on the edge on the area, Rovers came roaring back in determined style (the like of which hasn't been seen by a DRFC team in months!). They'd already gone agonisingly close through Tom Henson who blazed over despite being in an unmarked position inside the area before talisman Jack Goodman eventually put the ball in the net when he smashed home a rebound after Will Hollings' initial effort was saved.

Michael Nesbitt then forced a double save with two vicious strikes which resulted in a corner right on the stroke of half-time and from that set-piece delivery, skipper Dan Wilds contributed a 'proper' captain's goal with a downward header to level things up at the break.

The turnaround was completed early in the second period as Alex Fletcher's looping cross towards the far-post crept over the Lincoln 'keeper, clipped the post and went into the net. Did he mean it? Didn't he? Who cares? It meant Rovers were ahead for the first time!

Lincoln then got an equaliser (a well-worked one in fairness to them) but it didn't stop Rovers' domination, control and resurgence and after Hollings saw a deflected shot rattle the woodwork, Michael Nesbitt rifled home a fourth goal just past the hour mark to put the lads ahead once more.

By now the performance was a joy to behold and Fletcher, whose sheer energy shone through at left-back, leapt to meet Hollings' corner and bag the fifth on 67 minutes.

Things then got even better as Josh Lindley, who had lots of neat and tidy touches and had gone close himself early on in the game, soon made his best contribution with an intricate lay-off inside the six-yard box which set up Jack Goodman for Number Six (or his 17th of the season in all competitions).

Equally as incredible as Rovers' display was the weather because, despite both halves having started in sunshine, there were snowstorms - and the one after half-time was so prolonged and wild enough it resulted in the ball starting to hold up on the pitch at times. You'll only have to look at the photos to see how much the weather contrasted at different points in proceedings.

Max Adamson, top scorer in the U16s this season, went desperately close to adding what would have been a magnificent seventh late on when he knocked the ball just wide from fellow substitute Tom Parkinson's lay-off. Adamson was also flagged offside in a separate attack as was Harry Wood when, otherwise, he'd have found himself clean through on goal and ready to add his name to the score-sheet.

I've probably missed a few other chances because it was that kind of crazy game where so much was created and so much happened but... what a brilliant win! That second half especially, once some of the gaps were plugged in midfield owing to the change of formation at half-time, was as good as anything I've seen at this level from a Rovers team in a long time!

WHAT A WIN!

So much progression, so many positives and such a good performance. The next Youth Alliance game is away at Rotherham United followed by two tough-looking final games against Grimsby Town and Bradford City which will be as tough as it gets. If the same level of commitment is showed in those then nobody should have any complaints.

Player-By-Player Thoughts:

Luke Chadwick: Was at fault for one of the goals; it happens and he reacted in the best possible way by saving the next shot. The lads bailed him out by turning things around and winning the game and he’s bailed the lads out plenty of times with important saves over the course of the season. Didn’t almost k/o me during the warm-up this week (instead that was Lincoln’s substitutes).  

Michael Nesbitt: Out of everyone (and it includes some fierce competition) he was probably the ‘Man Of The Match’. He was solid at right-back, got up the pitch and had two or three shots - including the ‘double’ save which led to the corner for the equaliser, before his goal which was a venomous first time hit from the edge of the box that absolutely flew in. It deserved a good celebration. Read a dangerous situation perfectly to put one of Lincoln’s attackers on his backside when he tried to close him down (and he definitely loves the video of it!). It was a quality showing and he’s been something of a revelation at right-back in the past few games!  

Jak Whiting: A typical Jak Whiting display with lots of passion, encouragement and communication. Got run at for the first goal after Lincoln’s No.10 exploited the space behind the midfield and later conceded a free-kick right on the edge of the box (where they could have made it 3-0). Bottled his usual post-match ritual with his shirt because it was too cold, however, so he’s clearly going soft but is someone I’d absolutely love to play alongside - and against for the banter!  

Charlie Petch: The big boy who’s been in terrific form recently, he actually had a quiet game by virtue of others standing out and making an excellent contribution further up the pitch. Had to laugh at his cheeky comment to the Lincoln player (possibly No.10) after Michael Nesbitt read the danger to put him on his backside not long after half-time. He’s had a decent year and should be happy with how he's progressing.  

Alex Fletcher: It’s a toss up between whether this display, or his one at Basford in the FA Youth Cup, is his best this year. Simply put, he was quality. Playing at left-back but right-footed, the Imps tried to work things down his side a few times - and they did actually get a very well- crafted goal out of it to make it 3-3. His energy, desire and determination shone through though. He scored with a ‘whippage’ back-post cross (one which would have made Scottish legend Ronaldinho proud!), scored with a header, was a constant threat and Lincoln just couldn’t handle him. A quality contribution and I’d have loved to see him get one more chance to get a hat-trick because it’d have been something even more special if that had happened. 

Dan Wilds: The skipper who contributed the most important goal as he planted home a header right on the stroke of half-time to give the lads a huge psychological lift and properly wound Lincoln who’d have loved to go in 2-1 up. Had issues in the first half (which was owing to the gaps caused by the formation) but from the equaliser onwards, he was quality, a contender for ‘Man Of The Match’ and it was possibly his best game of his scholarship. Plenty to be happy about!  

Josh Lindley: Began like a man possessed and went close with a shot (the first of the game) inside five minutes. Had quite a few driving runs in the first half, often finding himself in space, and contributed plenty in an attacking sense. The initial formation meant there was a gap between him and Dan Wilds (which Lincoln tried to exploit) but that was plugged in the second half to blistering effect. Selflessly set-up Jack Goodman for the sixth goal when he could just as easily have scored and as someone else would probably say: 'Yes Joshy!'

Will Hollings: A hat-trick of assists and he was involved in a lot of positive moves which unlocked the Lincoln defence. He carried on from where he left off in having a very good 45 minutes against Huddersfield last week, his passing was good, and I’ve no complaints with his display. Got caught by a late tackle Lincoln’s No.6 on the quarter-hour mark, too, which might have resulted in a yellow card if it were another referee. Overall, Will Hollings is finishing the season with a flourish, showing quality and giving himself a good chance of earning a pro contract. He needs to maintain it!   

Alex Wolny: Another strong performance and, although he didn’t score himself, the fact that six goals were put past Lincoln is part-testament to his work, effort, physicality and running them ragged. Seems to be flourishing in a few positions that he’s played recently, is full of confidence and is ending the season well. If he can bag a few goals in the remaining games then it'll put his name in the headlines.

Jack Goodman: Two more goals to add to the tally with two well-taken finishes; both were simple and that’s because he made it simple by getting in the right areas, between defenders, on both occasions! He also ran the channels well and put in a good shift, was troublesome and it was a good overall contribution. His goals-to-games ratio is comparable to Rieves Boocock, Jack Watson and Junior Smith (some of the best goalscorers in the U18s in recent seasons). They all scored more goals but obviously had an U23s set-up and if one existed at DRFC, I've no doubts Jack Goodman would flourish in it.  

Tom Henson: Wore No.11 and has been great since he returned from injury, but he should have scored at least one from two good chances he had. His first effort, which he seemed to try and lift/place over the ‘keeper, narrowly went over (that happens) and everything else about his second chance was spot on bar the finish - peeling off his marker inside the area to find the space and to reach the cross, plus his movement to open up his body and then pull the trigger; it was good. Other than the chances, he caused lots of problems with his pace and direct style and it was just another good contribution. Another contender for the ‘Man Of The Match’ award.  

Max Adamson: A frequent scorer at U16s level this season, he came on for the final 15 minutes but he’ll be frustrated that he didn’t score with a glancing effort from Tom Parkinson’s cut-back as the ball drifted narrowly wide. A good contribution though as he was lively, got at players, imposed himself well. Like Harry Wood (below) he’ll get a prolonged run of games at some point to show what he can do at youth team level.  

Tom Parkinson: Only got 15 minutes or so towards the end but was lively, direct, got behind his marker a few times and helped set up the chance for Max Adamson where he knocked the ball wide. A decent cameo and he’ll be hoping to get a start or two in the final few games and finish the season on a high.  

Harry Wood: Another who came on late on so had limited opportunity to make an impact. Would have broken clean through on goal had he not been caught out by the linesman’s flag and had a couple of nice touches elsewhere on the pitch. Still an U16 but he’s earned his scholarship for the next two years on merit and will get his run of games at some point.

Justin Bennett: Also came on as a substitute in the closing stages when the game was won. Had a few touches and showed some decent movement. This appearance adds to the half-a-dozen or so that he’s already had this season and he’ll be keen to get lots of game-time and establish himself as a regular starter when his scholarship begins next summer.