Doncaster Rovers (U18s) 3-2 Lincoln City (U18s)

Doncaster Rovers (U18s) 3-2 Lincoln City (U18s)

EFL Youth Alliance

Saturday 8th April 2023

Back in November, during the regular league campaign, Doncaster Rovers produced a stirring fightback as they came from 2-0 down at Lincoln City to win 3-2.

In the reverse meeting last month, Rovers were at it again as they overturned the same deficit to pick up another three points in a game where Jack Goodman scored probably his best goal this season - and one which is likely to get nominated for the ‘Goal Of The Month’ award (so if anyone wants to get those ‘incognito’ tabs at the ready and fill in a load of CAPTCHA forms, feel free).

Now in the Merit League, anyone who thought history couldn’t repeat itself for a third time were mistaken because this was arguably the best and most dramatic comeback of the lot as Max Adamson totally changed the course of the game to give Rovers another three points against the luckless Imps who’ll be scratching their heads wondering just how they managed to throw it away yet again!

Lincoln were 2-0 up and in a strong position at half-time, and could have even bagged a third goal on a few occasions in the second half, before Rovers rallied and showed unbelievable character to pull it back to 2-2 before Max Adamson rounded the ‘keeper and slotted home deep into injury-time to spark scenes of utter delirium as, shirt off, and sprinting to the corner flag, everyone piled on top of him for some euphoric celebrations.

As is often the case involving Doncaster Rovers in recent times, the game wasn’t without a degree of farce because as kick-off approached, there was a notable problem. The referee (appointed by the FA through MOAS) arrived in due course but his assistants (appointed by the club) were nowhere to be found - thus some ‘improvisation’ was needed and non-playing lads, one from each team, were given a flag apiece so the game could actually take place!

The bobbly Cantley Park pitch, probably in the worst condition I’ve seen it at any point in the last four or five years, didn’t particularly aid the game either and Jake Oram did well early on when Kapser Williams played a routine pass back to him which bobbled up just as he struck it downfield. He connected ‘cleanly’ with the ball but it was an early sign that players would have to concentrate on the pitch itself as much as their opponents.

Both teams took a while to settle down, feel each other out and get into any rhythm and the first big chance came just past 20 minutes when Lincoln’s Bailey Adamson (prolific in recent weeks and carving out a good little reputation for himself) got goal-side of Williams and into a one-on-one where the cat that is Jake Oram came to the rescue as he rushed off his line and made himself big to pull off an important stop. What a lad!

That chance preceded a strong five-minute spell of pressure by Rovers at the other end in which Lincoln were very much camped in their own area. Faris Khan sliced one effort wide from the edge of the area but amidst a mini-bombardment Harry Wood had a shot deflected over and whilst Lincoln’s defence stood statuesque from the resulting corner, Kasper Williams did brilliantly to recycle the ball at the back-post and expose some more shaky defending which Lincoln got away with.

Then, Freddie Allen was denied as the Imps ‘keeper got down well to make a save after Will Green found him with a quick free-kick routine towards the back-post.

However, if you don’t take your chances, it can prove costly and around the half-hour mark, Lincoln went 1-0 up with as fine a counter-attacking goal as you’re ever likely to see. They won the ball back deep inside their own half, moved it quickly, sharply and crisply through the thirds and with their No.11 (didn’t get his name) in acres of space as he was slipped a pass on the edge of the Rovers box, he provided the perfect execution by slotting the ball past Oram and into the net.

An absolutely well-constructed team goal with Rovers cut apart, shades of Rivaldo’s strike against England at the 2002 World Cup as Lincoln broke away with purpose, but just a great example of what Lincoln are all about and how they can hurt you!

Not phased by being behind (after all, DRFC have been in this position a few times against the Imps this term), Rovers tried to regain the momentum as Lincoln’s defence remained shaky and often needed two bites when it came to clearing the danger in their own box.

Still, Rovers weren’t able to fashion up an equaliser and five minutes before half-time, Lincoln made it 2-0 when a low ball into the box from Lincoln’s left saw Jake Oram initially block it at the near-post, but Bailey Adamson gobbled up the loose ball and pounced in style by putting it straight into the net to add another goal to his CV.

The scoreline was harsh on Rovers but the lads wearing the hoops continued to attack and enjoy the territory up to half-time, with another well-worked move culminating in Alex Fletcher heading narrowly wide. Harry Wood also had two more efforts blocked in quick succession as Lincoln just put bodies behind the ball and defend doggedly (if not that convincingly) in their own box, and right on the whistle after Lincoln’s ‘keeper initially flapped at a cross, he redeemed himself by tipping Kasper Williams’ hooked follow-up attempt onto the bar as he was back-peddling with Freddie Allen in close proximity to him throughout.

There were some nice ideas and intent on show from both teams during the first half, albeit some sloppy exchanges too where improvement was needed, and in the early stages of the second half, there was plenty of enthusiasm on show.

Lincoln knew another goal would probably put the game to bed and had it not been for Alex Fletcher, who managed to clear an effort off the line approaching the hour mark, they’d probably have got it - and had the three points in the bag!

Rovers substitutes showed a few sparks of positivity as Jamie Tomlinson (I was stood down at the other end at this point so I think it was him) unleashed a shot from the edge of the area which was always rising and never looked like troubling the ‘keeper, but the intent was there and it was exactly what was needed. If you don't shoot, you don't score. So shoot!

Still though, the ball just wouldn’t seem to go into the net - and even when Max Adamson made his long-awaited return from injury and came on with about 25 minutes to go, he was initially frustrated as a low strike on target was routinely kept out by Lincoln’s ‘keeper.

It was evident that Adamson wanted to make a good impression and he was soon involved in a 50-50 battle to win the ball the Imps skipper, MJ Kamara who went down with one hand clutching his head and the other clutching his ankle - which looked bizarre at first but it soon became clear that he couldn’t continue and his afternoon was over.

Kamara’s influence on the game had been massive; akin to a superglue effect of just pulling everyone together and getting them on the same page and his departure - coupled with Will Flint being pushed from centre-back into a more advanced midfield position, plus Max Adamson now on the pitch and hungry to get on the score-sheet, all proved game-changing.

Still trailing 2-0 with less than 10 minutes to go, the game at this point could easily ‘drifted’ into a forgettable and anonymous finish but instead, Rovers really looked to have got the grit between their teeth and showed a desire to make something happen - and after Kenzie Dillon came on and nearly made an immediate impact with a shot that went over, that fighting spirit and effort was rewarded with a spot-kick when Jamie Tomlinson was brought down inside the box. 

Adamson assumed responsibility and amidst a few mind games and distraction techniques from Lincoln’s defenders (don’t mind that stuff) plus a whole heap of pressure, the penalty was dispatched and the game was on again!

With Rovers pushing forward in search of an equaliser - and Lincoln good with the ball and on the counter-attack, it wasn’t a surprise that gaps began to appear in certain parts of the pitch and Lincoln could have put the game to bed (again) when their No.14 mugged Kasper Williams and squared a through ball to Bailey Adamson who lashed a shot across goal and wide.

And that miss proved vital because less than two minutes later, Rovers made it 2-2 up at the other end. Will Green (sweetest left-foot in South Yorkshire as I said to someone in the first half… just as he hit a free-kick straight into the wall) was the provider as he swung a teasing ball from the right flank towards the back-post which evaded every Imps defender, bounced up, and was emphatically smashed into the top corner by Will Flint who’d made a run unmarked and on the blind side of everyone to grab the equaliser.

It’s testament to both teams that with only a few minutes now remaining, both wanted to push forward and win the game. Nobody was content with a draw and Jake Oram got down to pull off a crucial save from Bailey Adamson at the near-post as Lincoln immediately seized the initiative from the re-start and went within a whisker, before Rovers themselves had a big moment in injury-time as Max Adamson (no relation to his namesake at Lincoln) latched onto a Sam Brown pass and squared a ball across an open six-yard box which was just a shade behind a stretching Harry Wood who was barged into by a Lincoln defender who then managed to clear the ball just in time.

But then in the most dramatic of circumstances (beyond ‘Aguerrrrrrrrrooooooo’ time) came the winner!

Six whole minutes into injury-time and Sam Brown, like the creative and energetic terrier that he is, threaded another sublime pass through to Adamson who stretched for it and was on all fours in absolutely acres of space as he managed to trap the ball, then get up, round the Imps ‘keeper and slam the ball into the net. Cue scenes of absolute delirium as the shirt came off (yellow card forthcoming) and he sprinted to the corner flag where he was mobbed by his team-mates - including Jake Oram who dressed in bright green like the Jolly Green Giant broke the land speed record to cover 100 yards faster than Usain Bolt and belly flop onto the pile. Who said ‘keepers can’t run? 

WHAT A COMEBACK! WHAT A WIN!

Overall, the lads should be proud of themselves for pulling this one off.

The pitch wasn’t good and there’s lots of bits and pieces to improve from the actual performance itself (and the only way they’re going to learn is through game-time) but in the latter stages when the pressure was on them and the clock was ticking down, there was a drive, there was a desire, there was an aggression, there was a purpose, and the lads absolutely reaped the rewards for all that work in the best way possible - and it’s a game they’ll remember for a long time to come!

Max Adamson totally changed the course of the game and I can’t speak highly enough of his performance - from his conviction and showing a massive pair of b*llocks to take the penalty under a lot of pressure and mind games (because if he’d missed he’d have been getting a few wind-ups) and that started off the comeback. He was involved in so many crucial moments right from his introduction up to the winner and ‘Bravo!’ because that performance wins respect. But also Sam Brown was much-improved compared to last week and made three or four excellent ‘eye of a needle’ passes. He still bits to improve - i.e. curving his run to not get flagged offside, which happened late on, and not being sloppy with some of the more simple stuff, but he’ll be buzzing with his assist and to have contributed a lot. He had a good game. Will Flint - tremendous when he was pushed further forward and excellent anticipation and ‘gambling’ to make the run for the equaliser. Harry Wood - who was there to finish anyway if Flinty hadn’t done so with the equaliser, was also involved in some good bits of link-up play around the box and unlucky that all his strikes on goal just caught deflections and stuff. On another day he’d have scored and I’ve got no doubts about that whatsoever.

And Jake Oram, the big cat, was outstanding too and pulled off some big saves which need to be highlighted. He couldn’t do anything for the goals themselves but kept the lads in this game at times, has been solid for the large part of this season (and is a very good ‘keeper) and was good with his other stuff like kicking and commanding his box - and that sprint at the end to join in the celebrations! Like a human greyhound!

As mentioned, some of the younger lads who came off the bench added their quality. Jamie Tomlinson was bright, bold, won the penalty, and made a fantastic impression on what’s probably the longest stretch of minutes he’s had in a Youth Alliance game to date. Positive and lots to be pleased about. Kenzie Dillon did okay, nearly scored straight away with a shot that went over, and would have enjoyed being involved in that kind of turnaround - definitely not what he expected when he came on as a sub so late in the game, but Max Adamson - just what a performance to take the situation by the scruff of the neck and absolutely own that pitch!

Lincoln themselves will be gutted to have lost and considering their ‘Goals For, Goals Against’ record throughout this season, it’s not too difficult to work out their strengths and weaknesses. I didn’t get their team-sheet so I can’t mention players specifically other than those who I know already, but the first goal - finished off by No.11 was very good, crafted superbly, and watching some of their football and how they move it and play to a specific blueprint was a pleasure. They’ve got their weaknesses but some very, very good strengths.

Although he’ll feel gutted he didn’t put away a couple of his other chances that he’ll probably feel he should have done, Bailey Adamson still got on the score-sheet and should be content with how he’s scored goals consistently throughout the second half of this season to create a good reputation which has got his name known by a lot of people. He has the height to pose problems if playing a different way, bits to improve in his own game, but will probably be right up there in the scoring charts next season (assuming he’s a first-year which I think he is) because he’s got that about him.

But in this game itself, the big moment for them was MJ Kamara going off injured because he was solid - playing on the edge, being aggressive and pulling the lads together. It was influential and his impact is sort of proven by the fact of the scoreline when he was on the pitch and the scoreline when he wasn’t on the pitch. Lincoln looked more open and vulnerable when he wasn’t that’s for sure.

Aside from the two teams, the referee deserves a worthy mention because it can’t have been easy for him when he realised that his assistants weren’t going to turn up (DRFC had forgotten to book them) and he was essentially there on his own isolated. He didn’t get everything right but showed common sense, improvised when he could maybe have been a stickler and called it off due to the cock-up with no assistants, tried to let the game flow, tried to speak to players in the correct way, and I’ve got enough respect for him - plus the non-playing lads who were linesmen for the day, for throwing themselves into the firing line and assuming that responsibility.

I’m not entirely certain what would have happened if he’d instead been injured in the second half when he had to take a couple of minutes to change boots (abandonment maybe?), but fair play to him because it wasn’t easy circumstances.

Rovers’ next game is against Burton Albion (who have Dylan Scott - top scorer in the Youth Alliance) next Saturday and, depending on which table you look at because there’s two doing the rounds, this result means Rovers are either joint top of the Merit League or back in third position in the ‘extended’ league table which is on the latest Youth Alliance newsletter.

Team: Jake Oram, Will Green, Freddie Allen, Kasper Williams, Will Flint, Alex Fletcher, Sam Brown, Faris Khan, Trialist, Harry Wood, Trialist. Subs: Jacob Bryant, Kenzie Dillon, Jacob Bacon, Jamie Tomlinson, Max Adamson.