Doncaster Rovers (U18s) 1-1 Sheffield United (U18s)

Doncaster Rovers (U18s) 1-1 Sheffield United (U18s)

Pre-Season Friendly

Saturday 16th July 2022

Back at Cantley Park and keen to improve on last year's mid-table finish in the EFL Youth Alliance, Doncaster Rovers were just minutes away from clinching what would have been an eye-catching win in this pre-season game against Sheffield United's U18s, only for a last-gasp equaliser to deny them.

Rovers competed admirably against their Category Two counterparts; giving as good as they got and creating the better openings.

Following a quiet first 45 minutes, things sprung into life just after the break when Will Flint converted from close-range after Charlie Petch's knockdown from Tom Parkinson's corner. Jack Goodman was then twice thwarted in quick succession whilst Justin Bennett also skewed an effort narrowly wide, before the visitors snatched an equaliser in the 90th minute when an unmarked attacker reacted quickly and produced an instinctive and quality finish.

Despite that late leveller, new youth team boss Chad Gribble would probably have been pleased with what he saw on the whole as there were some good individual displays across the pitch (more on that towards the end), the lads put in a good shift in challenging conditions and it was an even contest.

Had the Blades fielded more of their second-year scholars (notably Sydie Peck who is one of the best prospects in his age group anywhere in the country right now), it may well have been a different type of game. However, you can only compete with what you're up against and there was certainly lots of positives from a Rovers perspective heading into Wednesday's fixture away at Wakefield.

This was Rovers' second pre-season outing (the other being a 3-3 draw versus Oldham last Saturday) and there was an experienced figure between the posts in the shape of second-year pro Ben Bottomley who spent time out on loan last term. Alex Fletcher, Will Flint, Charlie Petch, Jak Whiting and Tom Parkinson formed a back five; Josh Lindley, Jack Raper and Harry Wood were in midfield with last year's top scorer Jack Goodman and Ethan Harrison leading the frontline.

The bench was made up of first-year scholars and players from the club's U16s team - some of whom played in the first half of a game against Sheffield Wednesday on an adjacent pitch.

On a dry surface in certain areas and in temperatures which increased as the game progressed (and left me sunburnt), Rovers started brightly and created the game's first chance on six minutes when Goodman latched onto Wood's intricate pass and forced a decent save.

The referee left plenty to be desired with his decision making; letting a lot of niggly things such as pushing in the back go unpunished, and a moment of controversy erupted on 18 minutes when Harrison was caught by a strong tackle from the Blades' No.4 in the centre circle who went over the top of the ball. Had it been a competitive game the visiting midfielder may well have received a yellow card; instead he was given the benefit of the doubt (surprisingly) although he soon ended up in the notebook after another late challenge on Whiting just a few minutes later.

Rising temperatures meant that a drinks break was required and Rovers continued to create some good chances with Fletcher embarking on a run towards the edge of the box from where he forced a save after a shot from his weaker left-foot. Past the half-hour mark, Harrison (who won plenty of flick on's against a big defender and was someone who did particularly well) curled the ball into the back of the net only to be penalised somewhat harshly for an earlier foul.

United's play was quite direct early on before they put together some free-flowing moves closer to the interval, though they were thwarted by the shape and structure of Rovers' defensive line. Bottomley hadn't had much to do but was required to smother the ball inside his own six-yard box on the half-time whistle as the visitors ended the first 45 minutes on the front foot.

No changes were made at the interval (they came later on) and Rovers wasted little time in making their mark after the re-start because they needed just over a minute to break the deadlock.

Parkinson was the architect as he delivered a teasing post towards the back-post which was headed back across the goalmouth by Petch towards Flint who showed enough bravery to force the ball over the goal-line and give Rovers a lead to protect.

United knew they had work to do to get back into the game but things could have got worse them as Goodman intercepted an intended throw towards the 'keeper and knocked the ball goalwards but a Blades centre-back managed to clear the danger under pressure in the nick of time. The talisman went close again five minutes later when a ball reached him at the back post area but the 'keeper closed him down well to smother his effort and it remained 1-0.

At the other end, United registered their first shot on target on 62 minutes when a substitute brought the ball forward to the edge of the box and unleashed a shot towards the bottom-left corner, though it was comfortable for Bottomley who was more than equal to it.

Rovers made a string of substitutions either side of the game's third drinks break on about 65 minutes with several U16s and first-year scholars replacing those who started the game. They included Chris Pooley, Freddie Allen, Justin Bennett, Owen Scattergood (who replaced Wood just a few minutes before the masse changes), Sam Brown and some others whose names I'm not yet familiar with.

In what remained, the game was quite evenly matched with United shading possession and being decent value when they got on the ball and pushed forward but Rovers' youngsters showed resilience to limit them to not many chances.

Bennett went within a whisker of making it 2-0 with a quarter-hour to go when Scattergood's cut-back found him lurking in a good position inside the 'D' and the midfielder was unfortunate that his curling effort flew the wrong side of the post.

The Blades pressed and probed to get something out of the game and it paid dividends when they equalised in the last minute of normal time. There didn't look to be much danger initially when a visiting player lined up a shot from about 20-25 but the ball ricocheted off someone into the path of a Blades attacker who responded by instinctively curling the ball first time past Bottomley and into the bottom-left corner to make it 1-1.

It was harsh on Rovers having done so well against some good players who they'd thwarted for long periods, although not too many people will be that bothered by the result as it is only pre-season and more important games lie ahead.

A few noteworthy observations are as follows:

Will Flint will grab the attention because of his goal and he formed part of a cohesive back three alongside Charlie Petch and Jak Whiting. They defended well together, looked solid and limited the Blades to not much. He played some good balls forward in the first half which pierced the opponents a couple of times and should be happy with how he's settled into the team. He can also play in midfield (as he did admirably in the away game at Bradford last February).

Tom Parkinson had a positive game in the left-wing back slot; showing an energy and tenacity to burst forward and be competitive. The quality he had on his deliveries was really good and if he can continue like this for the rest of the season, he could become one of the first names on the team-sheet every week.

Ethan Harrison, likewise, won plenty of flick on's against the Blades' big centre-backs. He's had an injury-hit couple of years and impressed in this game and if he's able to avoid further injuries or set-backs, he's got the physical presence and capabilities to have a good season. He did well to get straight up having been 'clattered' by that tackle early on. I don't know how it wasn't a card but referee's make strange things and this one was lenient quite a bit in the early stages for whatever reason.

Harry Wood, wearing No.7, also began the game really well and affected lots of things. He picked passes - such as the through pass to Jack Goodman for the first chance, and generally set the tempo by linking things up a lot inside the first 10 minutes and having good touches in good areas which he'll be able to spot himself if/when he watches the video back. The dynamic of the game changed as the first period wore on which meant he wasn't as influential but I'm looking forward to seeing him replicate that start over the course of a full game because it had quality to it and when it happens, some poor team will get ripped apart.

No particular individual stood out for Rovers after half-time when Sheffield United got on the ball a bit more and the changes were made, but the first-year scholars and U16s especially can be happy with how they did as a collective and I'm looking forward to seeing them more at some point.

There's plenty still to improve in every area ahead of the season-opener against Hartlepool in August (because no one is ever the finished product at 16 or in pre-season) and in the much shorter-term, the fixture at Wakefield next week represent a tougher test than this one against Sheffield United because they're a good Step 6 team who are very organised and had Sheffield Wednesday's U18s on the back foot for much of the second half when they beat them last week. Expect the pitch at Wakefield to be bobbly, dry and dusty (unless it rains!) and get prepared for a step up in intensity of the opposition but back your own ability to go out there and acquit yourselves in a positive fashion in a proper stadium environment.

I won't be at that Wakefield game (and in fact this was the only pre-season fixture I'll be at) because I'm up in Scotland now for the rest of the month although I'll be at more games throughout the season.