Doncaster Rovers (U18s) 5-1 Hartlepool United (U18s)

Doncaster Rovers (U18s) 5-1 Hartlepool United (U18s)

EFL Youth Alliance

Saturday 13th August 2022

This was the kind of emphatic start to the new season which Rovers’ youngsters would have dreamed about as they ripped apart Hartlepool United in their EFL Youth Alliance opener at Cantley Park.

Playing at a high-tempo with a high intensity and seizing the initiative from literally the first whistle in what were sweltering temperatures, Rovers looked organised, slick, sharp and dangerous every time they broke forward during the early stages with Ethan Harrison and Will Green both scoring to make it 2-0 inside only four minutes. 

Jack Goodman added a third just prior to half-time to essentially put the result beyond doubt, and then claimed another midway through the second period, before Green made it 5-0 with a curling ‘beauty’ from the edge of the area which should be a contender for the next ‘Goal Of The Month’ award.

Hartlepool’s consolation on what was an otherwise drab occasion for them, came courtesy of the penalty spot during the latter stages.

With Rovers looking to improve on last season’s mid-table finish in the North-East Division, new youth team manager Chad Gribble installed Jak Whiting as his skipper for this game whilst there was also a surprise inclusion for U16s midfielder Sam Brown (who did very well on his first start).

Straight from kick-off, Rovers looked sharper and by far the more threatening team and with just over a minute on the clock, the high tempo paid dividends. Goodman was heavily involved as he closed down the Poolies ‘keeper and subsequently got in the way of his attempted clearance with the ball ricocheting straight towards Harrison who was able to poke it into an empty net from six yards.

A one-goal lead quickly became a 2-0 cushion for Rovers because in the very next attack Green received possession on the edge of the area and instinctively, he looked up and unleashed a curling effort from his weaker right foot which left the Poolies ‘keeper stranded and clipped the post on its way into the net.

With the game still only inside its first five minutes, the lads in red and white hoops were looking as ‘red hot’ as the temperatures and, incredibly, it nearly became 3-0 when Jack Raper’s sumptuous and defence-splitting ball was on a plate for Goodman yet the talisman, with just the ‘keeper to beat, uncharaceristically flashed his shot wide.

Brown showed plenty of zest and energy whenever he got in possession and had a knack for being direct; taking people on and wanting to make things happen, so when he put a teasing ball in-behind the Hartlepool defence soon afterwards, it was unfortunate that that particular move ended without another goal.

Had Rovers continued in this vein for 90 minutes then the record-breaking 11-0 scoreline (ironically also against Hartlepool but from April 2014) might have been under some threat. Nevertheless, the Poolies established a foothold as the game started to become more of a scrappy contest in midfield areas albeit with Rovers often looking that little bit more assured when they got the ball.

Harrison had an appeal for a penalty waved away at one end whilst Hartlepool registered their first attempt at the other end on 24 minutes with an effort which was routinely saved by Jake Oram. 

The game’s third goal was always going to be crucial and Rovers got it just before half time to go 3-0 up. It came in simplistic route one style with Whiting’s long ball over the top finding Goodman inside the area who turned, accelerated a few yards wide of his man, and then thundered a powerful shot into the net via the underside of the woodwork.

With the game now effectively over as a meaningful contest because of that goal, Rovers showed a good attitude to go again and win the second half against opponents who definitely weren’t prepared to roll over and just take a hammering.

Substitute Max Adamson played a key role in the fourth goal as his persistence, pace and willingness to get in the faces of Hartlepool’s defenders meant that he got in-behind within seconds of his introduction. Not in a shooting position but close to the byline, he centred the ball for Goodman who performed a pirouette-style turn-and-shot from eight yards which nestled in the bottom corner.

Two minutes later (and with still roughly a quarter of the game to go), Green produced the outstanding goal of the game. After receiving the ball out on the left flank, he brought it inside to the edge of the 18 yard box, took a touch to set himself and duly floated a sumptuous 20-yard effort over the ‘keeper and into the top corner. He certainly meant it and it wasn’t whatsoever a fluke; just a high quality finish made all the more special considering it was on his (supposedly) weaker right-foot once again.

At 5-0, Hartlepool could have easily felt sorry for themselves and limply rolled over, but they stuck at things, tried to show what they could do, and reaped the rewards for their endeavours by bagging a consolation. It came via the penalty spot after a runner was bundled over and the resulting spot-kick, albeit not the best, carried enough power to squirm under Oram’s dive.

However, the morning and the result was all about Rovers and there were lots of good aspects to how the lads played and how they applied themselves. There was creativity (Jack Raper and Sam Brown), there was an end product (Jack Goodman, Ethan Harrison and Will Green), there was hard work in midfield (Josh Lindley), there was constant communication to get the best out of everyone (Jak Whiting and Will Flint) and there was determination from the substitutes bench (Max Adamson). 

The lads executed some of their ideas exceptionally well and looked organised in parts, set standards with their fast start and it was a good benchmark performance for matchday one. Above everything else, there was some good quality on show at times - and that was perhaps the most pleasing thing!

Special mentions must go to Will Green because his touches, movement and awareness (including getting out of a two-on-one in the first half through good footwork) was of a really good standard. Sam Brown, likewise, was phenomenal for reasons already mentioned - every time looking to drive and cause problems and if he can back that up now over a consistent spell then he's going to do well for himself, along with Ethan Harrison who held the ball up brilliantly, posed such a physical threat and won his headers which didn't seem to mess up a sharp new hairstyle that he's got either. 

Josh Lindley and Jack Raper both played well, got on the ball a fair bit, and were influential in their own respective ways, whilst Max Adamson offered so much effort and energy when he came on with his running, his persistence, his desire and his drive. If he maintains those standards for the rest of the year and scores with his shot next time (which he’s usually done in the past) then he’s going to have a good impact and give off a favourable impression to anyone who happens to be watching him.

All that said, there are still some areas for improvement because one or two bits of individual decision-making at the back can best be described as ‘dicey’ and it led to the ball being lost cheaply when it shouldn’t have lost at all. If those errors are repeated in games against sides who carry a bigger attacking threat than Hartlepool, they’ll potentially get punished. ‘Defensive Errors’ is what some teams in the Youth Alliance thrive on - one of them being Rotherham (the next league opponents), and if you go behind against that type of team, it can suddenly become a much tougher game than it otherwise should be.

It’ll only be realised over a period of time just how good this DRFC team is compared to others in the division, so nobody should get too carried away by this one result. Nevertheless, the initial evidence looks to be hopeful, the positives outweigh the negatives, and there isn’t a better way to start the season than by producing a ruthless performance and deservedly claiming three points.

Next week’s game against Blackpool in the Youth Alliance Cup will be a lot harder. It'll be the Tangerines' first this season (so they'll want to get off to a good start) and they’ll likely include a 30 goal-a-season striker in Jake Daniels who was one of, if not the best player, in the North-West Youth Alliance last year… and I’m looking forward to seeing that battle already!

Team: Jake Oram, Will Flint, Jak Whiting (C), Freddie Allen, Will Green, Josh Lindley, Alex Fletcher, Sam Brown, Jack Raper, Ethan Harrison, Jack Goodman. Subs Used: Justin Bennett, Owen Scattergood, Chris Pooley, Faris Khan, Max Adamson.