Three days on from the bitter disappointment of their FA Youth Cup First Round defeat, Doncaster Rovers U18s responded in the best possible way to their setback at Sincil Bank as they turned on the style to record a 3-0 win over Grimsby Town in the North-East Youth Alliance.
Adopting a new 3-4-3 formation which mirrors the first team under new manager Danny Schofield, Rovers looked good throughout the game and it was one of the best displays of the season (certainly one of the most enjoyable) to date.
The lads played with a freedom not seen for a while, with a smile on their faces, and they really seemed to be enjoying themselves. The ball was kept on the ground a lot more than has been the case in recent weeks, there was a strong work-rate both in and out of possession, the lads looked creative and comfortable and it was just very pleasing to watch.
Owen Scattergood scored for the first time this season as he thundered home the opener, the majestic Will Green (what a performance) added a crucial second goal, before Max Adamson completed the scoring deep into injury-time to seal a good win.
Grimsby weren’t at their best by any means - missing a couple more of their first-year pro’s who have been good for them up to now this season, but individually they’ve still got some talented players (that was obvious) so the win and the performance felt particularly satisfying for DRFC.
Match Report
Rovers knew they could ill-afford to lose this game as defeat would leave them nine points off top spot and act a massive blow to their title aspirations.
After a cagey opening from both times and after Jack Raper flashed a 20-yard drive narrowly over the upright, there was soon cause for celebration when Owen Scattergood broke the deadlock in stunning style on 20 minutes as he volleyed home from inside the area. Will Green claimed the assist as turned his marker inside-out on the byline and provided the teasing ball towards the back-post area for Scattergood to finish.
Rovers looked miles better in possession than in many of their recent matches and when they got forward, there always seemed to be decent options available to potentially hurt Grimsby.
The next opening came from a set-piece. Green already has a reputation for being a dead ball specialist, having scored a ‘pearler’ in the away game at Harrogate not too long ago, and this time the first-year scholar was very unlucky to see his delicious 25-yard strike crash back off the crossbar with Declyn Dennis getting the slightest of fingertips to it, when it looked for all the world as if the ball was about to nestle in the top corner.
Green then showcased his abilities from a corner by providing a wicked delivery to the back-post area which was only half-cleared and straight back to him. He then recycled the ball in the direction of Tom Parkinson who was in an unmarked attacking position only a few yards out, albeit off-balance, as he skewed his effort straight at away ‘keeper Decyln Dennis.
With over half-an-hour gone - and Grimsby having no success whatsoever against the Rovers’ organised and efficient back three of Will Flint, Charlie Petch and Jak Whiting, the Mariners lads swapped positions up front as Harry Milner drifted inside with Shakeel Brown going out wide.
Still, the visitors remained frustrated, because the only other opportunity of note before half-time was in Rovers favour.
Green played a big part yet again; threading a pass to Jack Goodman on the edge of the box which was instinctively knocked through on the half-turn towards an advancing Scattergood, but Declyn Dennis read the situation perfectly and came off his line to narrow the angle and smother the eventual shot.
Grimsby switched to a 4-4-2 formation for the second half which allowed them to get Aaron Braithwaite (top lad) into much more advanced positions and they certainly played a lot better, because the game opened up and the next goal could quite easily have gone either way.
Braithwaite was fortunate not to concede a penalty six minutes after the re-start when Green turned inside the box and saw his attempt blocked at the near-post by what appeared to be Braithwaite’s hand. The referee wasn’t convinced and waved play on but it looked like one of those which might have been given by a different referee.
Braithwaite then played his part in Grimsby getting on top for a short period leading up to the hour mark, as they had a bit of territorial pressure and a half-chance which saw Flint make an important block from Brown’s scuff-shot.
Soon enough - and either side of Tom Parkinson being replaced by Freddie Allen on 65 minutes, there was a real end-to-end nature about things with chances at both ends.
After Rovers countered through Scattergood from a Mariners corner, Declyn Dennis parried away a powerful effort by Goodman before Milner was denied at the other end by Jake Oram just a minute or so later. Milner then also forced another save when he managed to get the better of Fletcher and unleash a near-post effort which was well kept out by the Rovers ‘keeper who instinctively set an attack in motion which culminated with Raper whistling a shot over the bar.
It was clear throughout the second half that the next goal would be vital towards the outcome and on 71 minutes it was Rovers who grabbed that crucial goal to double their lead and give themselves breathing space.
In a role-reversal of the opener, it was Scattergood who created this one with a bursting run on the left and ball inside to Green whose low drive from a central position on the edge of the box appeared to catch a deflection which helped to take it past Declyn Dennis.
At 2-0 up, Rovers knew they could ill-afford to take anything for-granted and there was an immediate sign that Grimsby weren’t giving up as Brooklyn Dennis (substitute and twin brother of the ‘keeper) got on the end of a long ball forward, got away from Petch and saw his attempt smothered at the near-post by Oram.
The entire Rovers team really stuck tight to their opponents for the next 10 minutes or so, to prevent the Mariners from creating any more openings which might have led to a more nervous finish to proceedings.
Green continued to pose a menace to Grimsby at the other end with all his qualities, and after his attempt from close to the byline was put wide by Declyn Dennis, he provided a brilliant cross towards the back-post from the subsequent set-piece which was headed just wide by Allen.
Three more of Rovers substitutes then combined deep into injury-time for a third goal which added a flattering look to the scoreline. Chris Pooley, on the right, played a ball inside to Justin Bennett who nonchalantly knocked it through at the first time of asking for Max Adamson and he did the business in slotting home from close-range.
Simple. Sublime. Three points. Three goals. A very good performance!
Doncaster Rovers: Jake Oram, Will Flint, Charlie Petch, Jak Whiting, Alex Fletcher (Chris Pooley), Jack Raper, Josh Lindley (Justin Bennett), Tom Parkinson (Freddie Allen), Owen Scattergood, Jack Goodman (Max Adamson), Will Green. Unused Subs: Faris Khan.
Overall Thoughts
There were several bright aspects to this performance by DRFC and it was one of the best of the season to date. The lads looked comfortable, they kept the ball on the deck more than has been the case recently, they played at a high-tempo with a freedom, energy and enthusiasm, they looked sharp and dangerous, they adapted well in their new formation and they deservedly got three points against a good team.
There were some fantastic individual contributions.
Up top, Owen Scattergood and Will Green ought to be buzzing with confidence - especially Scatts after that breakthrough goal which has been a while in coming and his performance was fantastic. Between them, they caused so much danger, worked their nuts off, got a goal and an assist apiece and out-of-possession, they covered so much distance by tracking back and not allowing Grimsby to have any space to execute their own ideas. It was brilliant to watch - and a special mention needs to go to the quality of Will Green’s set-plays which (apart from the one he shanked straight into the wall at Lincoln the other night) have been amongst some of the best I’ve seen watching Rovers at youth level.
Jack Goodman, playing in the centre, didn’t score in this game but he created a good chance for Scatts just before half-time with a piercing through ball. It highlighted his intelligence but, beyond that, if Rovers continue playing to the same blueprint as seen in this game, then he will get plenty of chances to score in games to come and his overall tally already speaks for itself.
Elsewhere, Alex Fletcher was quality on the right flank and whipped some brilliant balls into the box (including one on the quarter-hour mark which was right on the money and into the exact sort of area where it can hurt defenders, albeit nobody in a DRFC shirt latched onto it). His performance won the admiration of a few parents from Grimsby on the touchline who commented ‘the right-back has had a really good game’ at one point. He was brought off two minutes later (typical!) but the quality he showed was brilliant and the grit was right between his teeth. What a lad!
Tom Parkinson also had a very good first half on the left-wing where he played with a smile on his face and was able to execute some neat passes - including one inside to Josh Lindley close to the halfway line who in turn knocked a good ball on. Both Josh and Jack Raper (who was good throughout the 90 minutes) also looked much more at ease in this formation. It clicked, it worked and they’ll have both come off the pitch feeling as if they contributed a lot.
Defending starts from the front and in this formation it was noticeable just how hard the front players worked. Nevertheless, it’s defenders who love clean-sheets the most, so the established back three of Will Flint, Charlie Petch and Jak Whiting will be pleased to have added another one to their tally for the campaign, whilst Jake Oram (the big cat behind them) read and anticipated danger really well when he was required to and made two or three good near-post stops.
The three substitutes who linked-up with that cheeky contribution for the third goal - Max Adamson, Justin Bennett and Chris Pooley, will all be happy with their minutes on the pitch, though when it comes to being cheeky none of them can quite match Freddie Allen. FREDDIE! He nearly scored with his header in this game, he did score with a header at Harrogate (only to see it ruled out for a slight push), his next one is going to count because he keeps getting in the right positions and his technique is good, and I can’t wait to see what kind of mad celebration he’s got in his locker.
Talking of celebrations - Owen Scattergood; a knee-slide which turned into a ‘backflip on the floor’ and ended up being a definite ‘Thank God Heather isn’t here taking photos of me looking like an absolute plonker’. That technique definitely needs some work mate!
Aside from those on the pitch, it was also brilliant to see Harry Wood watching the game and hearing how much the lads have rallied around him in the last few days to lift his morale after he was sent-off by that idiot at Lincoln in midweek.
It’s a sign of togetherness and team-spirit when lads rally for a team-mate in their hour of need and, if Woody still needs a lift, just have a look at Scatts in this game and how he came off the pitch buzzing at the end having broken his duck and played such a key part in a big win. That will be you soon, Woody, so keep your head up, be confident - because I’ll always maintain that belief in you, and I still want a massive ‘high-five’ (and a better goal celebration than Mr Scattergood) when you do score that first goal.
Rovers thoughts aside - and more so regarding Grimsby now, they’re a team I always enjoy watching because they regularly produce good players with good attitudes (which is even more important) and they’ve done that on a consistent basis for several years. It’s testament to the coaching which goes on at GTFC and if I lived closer to Grimsby, I’d certainly watch them more often than I’m ever realistically able to. They’re a good team; it didn’t necessarily show at times in this game as they probably missed some of their first-year pro’s who’ve played in quite a few for them this season, but in 12 months they’ll be better for experiences such as this one and getting results to show for their progress and development.
In this game, they didn’t really threaten in the first half although they played significantly better in a 4-4-2 after half-time. They didn’t create enough chances to warrant a win; that said if they’d got an equaliser from what they did create instead of going 2-0 down (because the game was really in the balance for a while), who knows how things might have panned out.
Aaron Braithwaite (No.8) was involved miles more after half-time, following the formation switch, and it’s always a pleasure to watch him play. His passing was tidy throughout (that was noticed by a few lads playing for Rovers - one of whom has since described him as their best player) and I’ll always have bucket loads of respect for Azza. I’m looking forward to seeing what he does if/when he goes out on loan because I’ll back his ability to the hilt.I know what he can do and he’s proved it so many times in the past when I’ve watched him play.
Elsewhere, Shakeel Brown (No.10) left a really good impression thanks to his relentless work-rate in this game which impressed everyone. He chased EVERYTHING; lost causes, balls into the channel, the lot. He was good with his feet and neat on the ball when he had it. He drew fouls which always helps a team. He worked superbly and showed a brilliant heart and hunger in wanting to do well and make things happen. By all accounts it was the same last week in the game at Scunthorpe and I can only applaud his effort levels. Lots of people commented on how good he was so keep that up, because it’s getting noticed and it’s going to earn the respect of so many more people.
Harry Thorpe (No.4) is also a tidy player and, although he got ’sat down’ during the build up to the first goal - something he’ll learn from and naturally improve with experience, he picked up lots of second balls towards the end of the first half, was good with passing and he’s clearly a decent player with something in his locker. I can tell he’s talented from a mile away - plus he also impressed playing at right-back in the opening day win at Rotherham. So believe in what you’ve got, Harry, especially heading into Tuesday’s game where you’ll have a role to play in the big FA Youth Cup tie against Walsall, back yourself, and I look forward to following your development over the next year or two. In both positions you've played I’ve been impressed on the whole.
There’s also a few other good players in Grimsby’s team. Despite the scoreline, Alex Markham was solid enough, very vocal (more so than I’ve seen before), his positioning was decent on the whole, and he’s also improved his footwork from when I watched him play last. He’s got lots to be confident about. Harry Milner is capable of flashes of brilliance; it didn’t necessarily happen in this game (even though he got a few near-post shots away in the second half) and he’ll be hoping to make the impression I know he can make under the floodlights on Tuesday. If he can turn on the style, people will be raving about him.
The FA Youth Cup game will be a big one and with Will Hodgson (who missed this game but he’s a fine player - just remember the pre-season goal at Brigg last year) potentially back fit for that one, I’ll be rooting for Grimsby to have a good night and set-up a Second Round tie against Crewe which they’ll hopefully win too.
Finally, I always like a bit of football-related trivia and weird/quirky coincidences, and anyone who knows football will know that ‘twins’ in this sport are especially rare.
However, there are twins in this Grimsby U18s team in Declyn Dennis (goalkeeper) and Brooklyn Dennis (forward). They’re from Grimsby, both are second-year scholars, and both have performed well enough in games I’ve seen in the past for me to know exactly who they are - yet bizarrely, they’re not the only football twins from Grimsby to be signed on at professional clubs right now because Matija Sarkic and Oliver Sarkic are at Wolverhampton Wanderers and Pakhtakor Tashkent, respectively. In an even more bizarre coincidence, Matija is a goalkeeper whereas Oliver just happens to be a forward.
And in another weird twist, there’s quite a few relatives on the mum’s side of Oliver and Matija’s extended family who are Season Ticket Holders at Blundell Park!
The world sometimes works in mysterious ways and I love using this blog to point out little nuggets of useless but quirky knowledge - and I think it would make a nice article in the Grimsby Telegraph at some point.
I don't think anyone has actually picked up on it before either.
Huddersfield 1-2 Harrogate (Finn O'Boyle scores as Harrogate win again. Quality month for them).
Rotherham 2-5 Bradford (the Millers were 2-0 up and... lost. Freddy Jeffreys scored the equaliser).
