Former scholars round-up (09/11/21)

An unlikely scorer enjoying his American adventure; a 'Team Of The Season' inclusion in Australia and plenty of other lads scoring for fun closer to home - here's the latest round-up on the whereabouts of various one-time Doncaster Rovers youth team players!

Starting in Australia, Jordan Tucker has impressed many over the past year or so with his accomplished performances at full-back for South West Queensland Thunder. Along with scoring a 'Goal Of The Season' contender against Wynnum Wolves, he was recently included in the 'Team Of The Season' for the Queensland Premier League (which is the third tier in Australia) on the back of an impressive season where he was pretty much an ever-present. In total, he featured 24 times as his SWQ Thunder team reached the Play-Offs but were beaten 4-1 by Brisbane City in the Final.

Jordan Tucker features in the 'Team Of The Season' after his efforts at SWQT.

His fellow Australian, Nathan Dimou, has also just finished his first full campaign back at Adelaide Comets. To my understanding, despite topping the National Premier League (South Australia Section) table at the end of the regular season, a gut-wrenching penalty shoot-out defeat to cross-city rivals Adelaide City in the Play-Off Final meant they missed out on actually winning the title.

I haven't been able to find out specifically how many games Nathan played as information is often difficult to come by and haphazard, but he did make a handful of appearances (at least) - including one during August when he was potentially part of the youngest ever centre-back pairing to keep a clean-sheet (against Croydon Kings) in NPL history.

On the other side of the globe, Josh Clemitson has enjoyed a blistering start to his time at Aquinas College for whom he's established himself as a regular.

The defender-midfielder, a Youth Alliance title winner at DRFC in 2019/20, has bagged twice in the past month. His first goal came in a 2-0 win at Rochester and he was then on target the day before Halloween as Aquinas ran riot against Concordia and hammered their opponents 5-1.

Other ex-scholars in America at present include Lewis Scattergood who is enjoying a rich vein of form at Stetson University. The frontman has bagged four goals in his last eight outings - including a match-winner against Florida Atlantic and the opener versus Bellarmine, and is certainly doing everything he possibly can to impress everyone!

Furthemore, James Morris got his latest goal for Seattle Seahawks in a 3-2 victory over UTRGV and has weighed in with a couple of assists (against Utah Valley and Air Force) in recent weeks. Junior Smith is nearing a return from injury as he gets ready to start his career at Eastern Florida State College and revealed he likes to play chess in his spare time on his Player Profile... interesting indeed!

Josh Clemitson playing for Aquinas (Photo: @AQMensSoccer).

Back in Doncaster, Jack Watson's injury-enforced absence at NCEL (Division One) promotion hopefuls Rossington Main has paved the way for Myron Gibbons' arrival at Oxford Street and it'd be an understatement to say that he's 'hit the ground running' and impressed a lot of people.

One of the paceiest players ever to grace the Rovers youth set-up, 'Gibbo' bagged six goals in his first four appearances for Rozzo - including a hat-trick against Stocksbridge Park Steels in the Sheffield & Hallamshire Senior Cup on a night which also saw right-back Elliott Walker return to the club for whom he played last season. Another of Gibbons' strikes came in a comeback win at Swallownest. The turnaround on that occasion was completed thanks to a dramatic injury-time winner by Conner Williamson and that goal actually fired Ben Hunter's team to top spot in NCEL (Division One) for the first time this season, although they've since been replaced at the summit by big-spending North Ferriby.

Goalkeeper Kian Johnson also kept his latest clean-sheet in a 3-0 win against promotion outsiders Harrogate Railway Athletic - meaning he's now kept registered five shut-outs in league action for Rozzo this term.

Main, however, have lost a couple of games recently and one of them was a 2-0 reverse at Retford on a day where Matt Parkin was making his debut for the hosts. The midfielder has joined Retford from Staveley Miners Welfare in search of more game-time and got his first goal in a 4-1 win over 'joke club' FC Humber United last time out.

One of the Staveley's most frequent combinations this season has been 'Charlie Bell assist; Declan Howe goal' and the pair have been at it again despite some mixed recent results. 

The duo combined for the second goal in the Trojans' 2-0 success in a re-arranged fixture with Emley at Inkersall Road on a night which saw Jamie Price skipper the visitors. In total, Howe has struck 11 times in league/cup action following further goals against Winterton Rangers, Athersley Recreation and Eccleshill United recently, whilst Bell has a string of assists and impressive individual displays to his name. Meanwhile, current DRFC youth team 'keeper Luke Chadwick has also appeared in a few more game for Staveley recently (including the aforementioned win over Emley). Striker Rieves Boocock has remained largely in and out of the line-up - partly due to Howe's continued exploits inside the penalty box.

Declan Howe beats a couple of defenders as Charlie Bell watches on.

October also saw numerous one-time former youth team players compete in the FA Cup Fourth Qualifying where, collectively, they had mixed success rates.

Having broken their own club record just by reaching this stage, Pontefract Colliers earned a credible 0-0 draw with FC Halifax Town in a game which saw Scott Brown come off the bench and receive a red card for a goal-preventing professional foul in the dying minutes. He was on the bench for replay at The Shay, three days later, but there was to be no fairytale ending for his Ponte team-mates as Halifax triumphed 1-0 at the second time of asking courtesy of a 65th minute winner.

Jack McKay also endured an afternoon to forget against his old employers as Chesterfield ran out comfortable 4-0 winners against Curzon Ashton. McKay, who made around two dozen appearances in his two-and-a-half year stint with the Spireites, spent the full game on the bench and watched on as his former partner in crime, none other than Liam Mandeville, bagged his only Chesterfield goal to date this season. McKay has also recently experienced a change of manager as Steve Cunningham was surprisingly dispensed with in the aftermath of this game (allegedly for talking to AFC Telford United about the vacant managerial post in Shropshire). He's been replaced by Adam Lakeland in the dugout and McKay went a long way to impressing him as he got one of Curzon's two goals in a comeback 2-2 draw with Spennymoor Town. 

There was FA Cup Fourth Qualifying Round success for Shane Temple - a striker who came on trial and made a big impression in a couple of games for the youth team towards the end of last season. The 18-year-old netted for AFC Sudbury in a 3-1 win over Dartford - thus helping Sudbury become the lowest-ranked side to reach the First Round proper. Their reward was a tie against local rivals Colchester United which was shown live on BBC One, but sadly they succumbed to a 4-0 defeat in a game where he played just under an hour before being substituted.

Lewis Cunningham, meanwhile, was an unused sub as York City needed a replay to overcome plucky Morpeth Town to reach Round One. The left-back was again on the bench (for the seventh time this season) as the Minstermen exited the competition at the weekend by losing 1-0 at home to Buxton with the aforementioned Steve Cunningham (no relation) being the newly-appointed boss of the visitors. Lewis is still awaiting his first senior appearance but has continued his decent form at youth level and recently grabbed an assist as York's U19s won 1-0 at Darlington in the National League Youth Alliance.

Eastleigh, where Andrew Boyce is now in his fifth season, also needed a replay to overcome Folkestone Invicta (two divisions below them) to reach Round One. They're now out the FA Cup too, however, as they were beaten by Boreham Wood at the weekend - though the 32-year-old is now at least a few steps closer to reaching the landmark of 200 appearances for Eastleigh.

Shane Temple in action for Sudbury (Photo: Mecha Morton).

On the subject of landmarks/records, James Husband is fast-closing in on his 250th career appearance, whilst Paul McKay made his 75th appearance in Scottish Football as Queen Of The South drew 1-1 with Raith Rovers last time out.

Nowadays at Blackpool, Husband is currently on 248 appearances and featured most recently in the Seasiders' draw with QPR at the weekend. Good form over the past month has also seen them emerge as unlikely play-off hopefuls and they've been partly helped thanks to five goals this term by Jerry Yates - including a brace against Reading on Saturday 23rd October.

Yates was ridiculously released by Rovers and allowed to join Rotherham United when he was aged 16 and a youngster who'll be hoping to follow in his footsteps, having also made his departure from DRFC at a very young age, is Leeds United youth team striker Ben Andreucci. 

Sold to Leeds a couple of years ago, the striker recently turned 17 and has begun his Elland Road scholarship in brilliant form by scoring a brace and claiming an assist in a 5-2 win over Liverpool towards the end of September. That has been followed up with two more goals in a 5-1 rout of Newcastle United just a few days ago. 

Andreucci is certainly a name worth remembering and with international experience in Scotland and England’s youth training camps already under his belt, there are suggestions that Republic Of Ireland (whom he also qualifies for) are monitoring his progress as well.

Ben Andreucci... sold by DRFC and now scoring for Leeds at U18s level (Photo: Unknown).

A number of other ex-scholars got on the score-sheet during the past few weeks.

Michael Carberry put in a 'Man Of The Match' performance for Bootle - scoring one and claiming an assist after his half-time introduction in a 3-0 win over Prescot Cables. Craig Nelthorpe and Alex Peterson have also bagged two goals each for Belper Town - including in the same game where they walloped Bedworth United, 5-0, and Brad Grayson struck on successive Saturdays for Gainsborough Trinity in wins over Coalville Town and Atherton Collieries. Jack Muldoon struck a brace in Harrogate Town's 6-1 demolition of Scunthorpe United before then coverting a penalty in a 2-2 draw with Tranmere Rovers - thus meaning he's now got 54 goals in 152 outings since joining Simon Weaver's team. Billy Whitehouse also ended up in the National League North 'Team Of The Week' after a great display in a 2-1 win over Farsley Celtic for whom Will Longbottom was amongst the subs.

Meanwhile, several other lads have been on the move.

James Leverton has effectively become the latest replacement at Armthorpe Welfare for ex-academy 'keeper Callum Fielding who departed for Hallam last month but is now injured on a long-term basis and needing an operation. Leverton debuted for Armthorpe against North Ferriby at the weekend, and another 'keeper to have recently found a new club is Dec Ogley who has joined Denaby United. Omar Sanyang, part of the Rovers set-up in 2017/18, has joined FC United Of Manchester on a dual-registration deal from National League North outfit Darlington - whom he joined in the summer after a successful trial.

In a quirky move back to Doncaster Rovers (of sorts anyway), even Lewis Ferguson has come out of retirement and pulled on his boots again as he's joined Travs FC who compete in the DRFC Sunday Football League. It's no doubt a move that's beneficial for all parties; the team get arguably the best winger in the division whilst he probably gets a few beers afterwards too for his troubles!

Interestingly, there's actually quite a few ex-scholars from various clubs at Travs FC including Chris Whincop, Josh Meade (who is still playing at semi-pro level for Grantham Town) and defender Brett Lucas who was at Selby Town not too long ago.

And elsewhere in a move which hasn't yet unfolded but has been mooted on the bizarre and bonkers world of the Viking Supporters Forum, Evan Fortune-West (currently playing at Thorne Colliery and part of the academy set-up when he was younger) has been compared to Jamie Vardy amidst talk of him stepping up eight divisions, and 153 places in the league ladder, to join... Doncaster Rovers!

Whilst Evan isn't a bad player by any means, it'd be one hell of a step-up and the link for that bizarre discussion can be found here if you want to read it for yourselves.

Evan Fortune-West out-jumps youth team right-back Alex Fletcher during a pre-season game.

Of the former youth teamers still on Rovers' books, both Ben Blythe and Lirak Hasani have returned from their respective loan spells at Farsley Celtic and Matlock Town to feature frequently on the bench for the first team over the past few weeks.

They'll be hoping for a start in the EFL Trophy against Scunthorpe United this week - along with both Louis Jones and Branden Horton who did his chances no harm with a 'Man Of The Match' display in Rovers' FA Cup win (also against Scunthorpe) on Saturday.

AJ Greaves will sadly be out of action for some time though as he sustained an injury which cut short his loan spell at Redditch United, whilst Liam Ravenhill has moved to AFC Telford United on the back of completing a short-term stay at Mickleover. Goalkeeper Ben Bottomley is still present every day at Cantley Park but just hasn't been on loan anywhere nor in the matchday squad in recent weeks since his stay at Frickley Athletic reached its conclusion.

Finally, here's a well-earned mention for current youth team midfielder Will Hollings who became the 64th youth team player to be included in a DRFC matchday squad when he was an unused substitute in the previously FA Cup win at Scunthorpe.

A debut for him and Tavonga Kuleya, who has now been on the bench twice, may well materialise at some point in the very near future...

Apologies as always if I've missed anyone as it's obviously sometimes difficult keeping track of various lads playing in different divisions across the world.

The next round-up will be published at the start of next month. In the meantime, feel free to click on the following links if you've missed any previous articles on former DRFC scholars which features dozens more names: October | September | August | July |.

York City 0-1 Buxton

York City 0-1 Buxton

FA Cup First Round

Saturday 6th November 2021

My first visit to York City's new LNER Community Stadium and an 'upset' (of sorts anyway) as Buxton deservedly progressed to the FA Cup Second Round with one-time Minsterman Diego De Girolamo coming back to haunt his old employers by grabbing the match-winner.

It wasn't quite a 'David vs Goliath' tie because although York are a division above their counterparts, some people would do well to remember that Buxton are unbeaten this season and there's only actually just over a dozen or so places separating the two teams in the entire league ladder.

Both teams endured a strange build-up to arguably their biggest game (in terms of attention) this season as Buxton dispensed with managerial duo Mark Ward and Gary Hayward earlier in the week which was allegedly because Ward was 'going on a pre-booked holiday shifted numerous times due to the pandemic'. The pair have been replaced by former Curzon Ashton manager Steve Cunningham - a figure who, himself, was surprisingly thrown out the door at his old club last month despite enjoying such a good start to the season with the National League North minnows.

York, on the other hand, have been forced to suspend assistant manager Micky Cummins on an indefinite basis for what's alleged to be a historical breach of betting rules! As a consequence, former Doncaster Rovers legend (and York's youth team boss) Tim Ryan has stepped up to fill the void in the dugout until further notice.

In windy and bitter cold conditions at times, the Bucks, backed by a thousand-strong following who made themselves heard, produced a terrific performance full of energy - showing courage, drive and determination to take the game to the Minstermen. They were superb throughout and finally got a reward for their collective efforts when Diego De Girolamo converted in the closing stages to fire them into the Round Two draw which takes place on Monday night.

York had their chances; the best of which saw Sam Fielding's point-blank header somehow kept out by Buxton 'keeper Theo Richardson just after half-time and when the game was goalless. Even at 1-0 down, the Minstermen nearly grabbed what would have been a dramatic leveller as Fielding again was thwarted from a set-play.

However, York's performance on the whole wasn't good enough. It lacked inspiration, was lethargic and had it not been for their own 'keeper - Pete Jameson, who produced a string of good saves in the minutes leading up to the interval, they could have lost by a greater margin than just a single goal.

A home tie in the Second Round draw and it's pretty much a certainty that the TV cameras will be heading to Buxton's Silverlands Stadium in a few weeks time. York, meanwhile, will be left to contemplate what might have been, although the bigger picture in every season at National League North level is undoubtedly to win promotion and begin a climb back towards the Football League - especially now they have a stadium which is the envy of many.

Sponsored by LNER, the new ground is different in just about every conceivable way from Bootham Crescent which hasn't yet been consigned to the bulldozers and is open to the public for one final time on Sunday 28th November.

The Community Stadium forms part of a huge retail complex that has loads to offer and is somewhere you could easily spend an entire day from noon until night. It's modern, clean and comfortable and easily accessible from the city centre (costing just a bargin £3.30 on the frequent No.9 bus service which departs from directly outside York Railway Station). Shops on the complex include established supermarkets such as Aldi, M&S and Sainsburys, places to eat and drink including Nandos and Costa Coffee and other entertainment venues such as Hollywood Bowl and Cineworld.

The stadium is right at the heart of the complex and although it might not feel like 'home' to many York fans at present (that bit will take time - and some folk will pine for a return to Bootham Crescent for years to come) it's far better than a hell of a lot of new-build stadiums elsewhere. The bizarrely-located library, adjacent to the Hospitality Entrance/Main Reception, is definitely quirky (and makes you want to sing 'Is this a library?') whilst the community swimming pool (which is also past the point of the stadium entrance) is also very different to anywhere else.

Overall, I'd be happy to visit here every week. The facilities are top class and at some point when York 'kick on' and make their way back up through the divisions, it'll be a popular away day on so many levels.

For now, however, it's back to the task of winning promotion from the National League North!

Basford United (U18s) 1-2 Doncaster Rovers (U18s)

Basford United (U18s) 1-2 Doncaster Rovers (U18s)

FA Youth Cup First Round

Friday 5th November 2021

Remember, Remember the 5th of November!

Explosions, roaring emotion and a DRAMATIC last-gasp injury-time winner from the wonder-kid that is Jack Goodman to fire Doncaster Rovers into the FA Youth Cup Second Round.

It was a performance to be enormously proud about; a performance where character and commitment was evident in abundance throughout the team and a performance filled with maturity.

Whilst Goodman (and scoring a last-gasp winner he's a very 'good man' indeed) will grab all the headlines after his injury-time heroics, every player in a Doncaster Rovers shirt contributed something positive as the lads worked their nuts off to emerge victorious from this challenging trip to Basford United.

In fairness, Rovers were better team for large swathes of the game, barring a 15-minute period when the balance wobbled in the hosts' favour.

During a first 45 minutes in which they stopped Basford from building up any kind of rhythm, the lads were exceptionally good value for the one-goal lead they established as the excellent Alex Fletcher (who was absolutely sublime at right-wing-back) slotted home from Corie Cole's delicious through pass.

Owen Scattergood and Tavonga Kuleya both missed good chances to double Rovers' lead and that looked as if it might prove closely when Jericho Bonner (once in the ranks at DRFC) stooped to head home an equaliser for the talented non-leaguers just after the re-start.

Now on the back foot and up against it, Rovers regrouped, refocused and regained the initiative as they pressed hard for a winner during the final half-hour with 'Man Of The Match' Fletcher having another strike ruled out for offside before Jack Raper, Michael Nesbitt and Bobby Faulkner all went close.

Extra-time was looming and pretty much imminent but with 94 minutes and nine seconds on the clock, Jack Raper's lofted clearance put Goodman in the clear and the striker lofted the ball over the advancing Basford 'keeper and into the net to provoke wild and unadulterated scenes of joy, celebration, pandemonium and utter delight which will stay with these lads forever!

These kind of golden moments are to be treasured and what a night it was complete with regular bangs and crackles in the skies above!



Match Report

From the moment the Rovers team arrived at Greenwich Avenue then it's fair to say that the fun and games began with strict rules enforced regarding players' footwear on Basford's 4G pitch. Nobody was allowed on it in anything other than boots - trainers weren't permitted as, apparently, they cause damage by flattening it so therefore the whole squad were forced to change footwear just to walk across towards the centre circle and inspect what they'd later be playing on.

Lets just say the 'rule' was enforced for everyone (including photographers) throughout the night and checked at all times - and there wasn't any room for compromising!

As to be expected for a Bonfire Night game there was a backdrop of exploding fireworks in the night's sky and a sizeable and excited crowd (the majority supporting Basford and eager to see a cup upset), paved the way for a difficult atmosphere.

Rovers received a welcome boost by virtue of Basford's starting line-up as usual skipper Jordan Haywood (doubling up as probably their most experienced player in terms of first team experience) was ineligible for selection due to paperwork surrounding his recent loan switch to Belper Town.

Meanwhile, Gary McSheffrey made a couple of changes to the team which lost heavily to Burton Albion last time out with Luke Chadwick returning in place of Tom Chambers between the posts whilst Jak Whiting's absence led to a reshuffle in personnel and paved the way for Alex Fletcher to start.

The majority of Rovers' full-time academy coaching staff were present including Frank Sinclair, Tony Mee and Steve Welsh. First Team assistant manager Noel Hunt was also watching the game in the small but ramshackle Main Stand across the pitch from the two dugouts.

Wearing their all blue away strip (where it's much easier to see players' numbers), it was Rovers - namely Owen Scattergood who got things underway at 7.30pm prompt.

The early minutes saw the lads get on the ball and express themselves positively with Scattergood actually enjoying the first opening of note when Gianni Musson was forced to palm away his shot from just inside the area on the back of a well-worked short-corner routine.

Basford soon replied with an opportunity of their own as Jericho Bonner, who was already getting caught up in a very interesting duel with Michael Nesbitt (worth the entry fee alone), managed to cut inside and let fly with a speculative effort which drew a decent stop by Chadwick. Then, just past the quarter-hour mark, Rory Harrison got inside the Rovers penalty area and curled a shot well wide.

Rovers were spraying the ball about quite confidently and on 21 minutes they made a breakthrough thanks to a defence-splitting pass by the technical magician that is Corie Cole and a perfectly-timed run from the energetic livewire that is Alex Fletcher which culminated in the right-wing-back firing home and celebrating emphatically with his team-mates. A well-worked goal with so much quality about it!

As the individual battle between Nesbitt and Bonner intensified with a few niggly tackles and 'dark arts' kind of work involving both parties - leading to the Basford playing receiving a yellow card and Nesbitt get a talking to by the referee, it was becoming clear that Rovers were getting on top, nullifying Basford's threat well and preventing them from building up a head of steam.

The lads were reacting quickly in the instances when they lost possession, demonstrating good shape and recovery, but really needed a second goal to open up a good lead - and one would have been established by half-time if either Scattergood or Kuleya had converted from decent positions around the box during a period of sustained pressure.

As it materialised, Rovers led 1-0 at the interval and Basford certainly knew they had to 'up the ante' and get on the front foot if they were to get back into things.

Whatever was said in the hosts' dressing room at half-time provoked the required response because for a 15-20 minute period immediately following the re-start, they looked rejuvenated, dangerous and totally capable of causing a whole of problems for Rovers' backline.

There was a warning sign that Basford were still in the game and weren't going to be beaten easily when Jack Raper was penalised for a foul on the edge of the box and Harrison curled the subsequent free-kick just a couple of inches over the frame of Chadwick's goal.

Nevertheless, only five minutes of the second period had been played when the team in yellow grabbed an equaliser which owed as much to a shade of good fortune as it had quality.

The lively Harrison showed nifty footwork to both latch onto a ball down the channel and turn inside and unleashed a more powerful strike than his previous effort which ricocheted off the underside of the woodwork and fortuitously into Bonner's path who was able to head it home and spark raucous celebrations from the home supporters.

At 1-1 and seeking even more, Rovers then spent the next five minutes or so camped inside their own half as Basford pressed and probed menacingly with Chadwick gathering a free-kick before Raper was dispossessed just inside his own half which culminated in Lewis Rourke unleashing a powerful drive from the edge of the area which caught a deflection and required another good save.

It's no secret that sometimes this season heads have dropped when the lads have conceded and this was such an important period of play because, had Basford bagged a second goal to perform a quick turnaround, then Rovers would have very much been up against it.

A fast and frenetic five-minute period then followed with half-decent openings and a couple of chances at either end. Basford's Bonner had a reasonable enough appeal for a penalty waved away by the officials after Rovers had spurned two good chances; Faulker heading wide from a set-piece and Goodman firing straight at Musson (who saved with his legs) following some lovely, quick and neat one-touch build-up play involving Hollings and Cole.

Slowly but surely, the balance of play began to swing in Rovers' favour and from 65 minutes onwards they created plenty of good chances - some of which ought to have been put away!

In one move, Fletcher put the ball into the back of the net (albeit a while after the whistle had been blown for a foul). In another, Raper arrowed a drive narrowly over the upright after a well-worked corner routine towards the edge. In probably the best of a quick cluster of openings, Nesbitt stung Musson's hands with a low shot having got into the box owing to some patient passing build-up play.

Musson produced another save inside the closing quarter-of-an-hour - adjusting his body well to palm a powerful drive from Kuleya into the air before he gathered the ball at the second attempt before anyone could pounce.

At this point the prospect of extra-time was growing and both teams knew that any mistakes now could have huge ramifications for their team's chances of progress.

Rovers introduced both Will Flint and Alex Wolny (for Hollings and Scattergood respectively) around this period whilst Basford also made a change with goalscorer Bonner being withdrawn in favour of the quick, pacey and clever player that is Kiran Nyemba.

The chances continued to be created, nonetheless, and two more came Rovers' way in quick succession - both of which Fletcher was heavily involved in. In the first move, the right-wing-back delivered a pinpoint cross which Nesbitt connected to with his head, albeit not powerfully enough, and Musson was able to gather. Less than two minutes later, Fletcher's tenacity and persistence meant he beat his man in racing onto a ball close to the byline and his subsequent near-post invitation of a cross was poked goalwards by Goodman but yet again the 'keeper was equal to it.

Basford looked a threat on the break and there were a couple of times when they almost broke through the midfield lines as Rovers were required to defend well. A set-piece (arguably the hosts' best chance of finding a winner) was also whipped into the six-yard box and scrambled away.

Five minutes of injury-time were signalled and with the clock behind the goal running about a minute slowly, it seemed as if it was longer.

In the 95th minute, however, the moment which everyone will cherish for years to come unfolded and it was a textbook 'Route One' move with a brilliant outcome. After the ball was poked out of defence and into Raper's path close to the halfway line, the midfielder helped it on with a hopeful punt over the top which fell kindly. Suddenly, Goodman was in-behind the Basford defence and only had the 'keeper to be beat and a little bounce allowed him to nick the ball over Musson and goalwards where it bounced again and eventually into the net - almost in slow motion as the defender tried his utmost to hook it away but to no avail.

Emphatic celebrations and screams of 'YESSSSSSSSS' followed as Goodman was mobbed by everyone - including the substitutes who raced down the touchline to celebrate with him. It was a brilliant moment and Rovers had the lead their performance so richly deserved. It was harsh on Basford but on the balance of play, merited from a DRFC perspective.

Despite the fact there was only around 50 seconds of the additional injury-time remaining, nearly double that was actually played and a few nerves would have jangled when Wolny gave away a free-kick (for which he was booked) on the halfway line immediately after the re-start. It allowed Basford to pump the ball into the box but Rovers' defence held firm, remained resolute and got the job done!

What a game - and what a dramatic outcome for everyone involved.



Individual Thoughts

To begin with, every player contributed something to this brilliant night which will stay with everyone involved for a long time to come. The fact that these lads have now won four out of their previous five games shows they're finding rhythm and progressing in the right direction.

Basford are a decent team and 'just because they're non-league' it shouldn't in any shape or form reduce from how dangerous they are. Yes, they would have been stronger if Jordan Haywood had been eligible to play (and his absence was a welcome bonus!) but I've seen them demolish other teams and they're good at what they do and have some undoubted quality players.

Nevertheless, apart from that 10-15-minute period when they got on top after half-time, Rovers nullified their threat significantly and kept them largely at bay. This was done through excellent shape, organisation, recovery play - especially in being decent at offensive-to-defensive transitions, good interventions and being aggressive where it was needed. Plaudits should be shared right the way through the team because those characteristics were exactly what was required to get a good result. If the lads had turned up with a ‘billy big balls’ attitude they’d have come unstuck!

The 'Man Of The Match' award goes to Alex Fletcher who was phenomenal at right-wing-back and he should take so much pride and delight in not only what he produced, but the quality of what he produced both on and off the ball.

Although the season is about halfway completed when it comes to the competitive games programme, this was the night (when it mattered!) where he stepped up and delivered an absolutely stellar and benchmark display and announced himself to watching audiences. What better time to do it!

His energy up and down the right flank was terrific. He was like 'Dennis the Menace' on a sugar rush with his tenacity and pace and put some quaity balls into the box, created lots of good openings, linked up nicely in a lot of the attacking play, got in good and often goalscoring positions, wasn’t afraid of anything and it was a sublime, high quality, high energy performance which was delightful to watch. I couldn't be happier for him to have done this out of every player in the team. If there is ever a point where he needs a confidence boost then he should just re-read this post, recapture the moment and remember the quality of what he contributed to create these memories for himself and his team-mates.

It was an absolutely top class, diamond of a performance by the little goat!

A collective mention also needs to go to the back three of Dan Wilds, Bobby Faulkner and Michael Nesbitt for their efforts in nullifying their opponents.

I stated in my pre-match preview that coming out on top in the majority of individual duels was going to be important when it came to getting the win (especially for the defenders) and these lads did that. Michael Nesbitt in particular had a running battle with Jericho Bonner from the first minute with plenty of the 'dark arts' stuff happening and he delivered a mature and solid showing. Bobby Faulkner was like a rock and unbeatable, whilst Dan Wilds slotted straight back into the back three following a spell in midfield with effortless ease, and offered an assured presence. They worked well together as a unit, possessed a strong and solid understanding and deserve credit for keeping Basford largely contained for much of the game.

Elsewhere, Jack Goodman once again demonstrated, (and especially so during the final half-hour), all the positive things that make him an asset to this team - the chasing things down, pressing, hard-work and commitment - they don't go unnoticed to these eyes. The last-gasp winner was a 'rocket fuel' adrenaline-rush moment for everyone involved and probably like none that any of the lads have ever experienced before. He took the chance so well, showing composure when there was plenty of work still to do despite and he'll no doubt get plenty of headlines to saviour the moment.

He's now equalled the top scorer's tally for last season (seven goals) and performing how he does then it's only a matter of time before he'll break through that barrier.

Owen Scattergood was also fantastic and so committed to the cause. He raised his game by a few notches and was a total pain in the backside for Basford with his pace, persistence, pressing and general threat on the front-line. Although he probably should have scored a goal or two, he'll be happy with his own work and can take encouragement from impressing many of the onlookers who had positive things to say afterwards about his contribution.

Elsewhere, Corie Cole's assist for the opening goal with a perfectly-weighted and perfectly-placed through ball was as sublime as it was inviting for Alex Fletcher to smash into the back of the net; it oozed quality and couldn't have been played any better. Jack Raper was instrumental in pulling the strings from his midfield position to create chances. He had plenty of touches during the game and although his assist for the second goal was a more of a speculative punt than an incisive through ball, his improved performances in recent weeks deserve recognition. There are still areas where he could improve when out of possession (and that will come with experience) but he was another who contributed greatly to this success.

Following an initially slow start, Will Hollings grew into proceedings admirably; showing measured composure and a willingness to want the ball in midfield - particularly during that crucial period when Basford got on top after half-time. It helped relieve some of what was becoming constant pressure and ultimately helped the lads to wrestle back a firmer foothold. Tavonga Kuleya also put in a decent shift in the generally unfamiliar left-wing-back position - showing a few glimpses of what he can do in attacking positions but contributing to the overall outcome.

Lastly amongst the starting line-up, Luke Chadwick just delivered another standard performance in goal which was testament to the work he’s put in and how comfortable he’s looked in pretty much every game this season. He commanded his area well, barring the odd instance, and my only concern is whether he’ll endure any lasting nightmares from having to wear that fluorescent pink kit for 90 minutes! It was a nice touch to see him applauded by Basford’s contingent behind the goal immediately after the full-time whistle as well.

Both the two substitutes who came on also did exactly what was required of them in their respective cameo outings. Will Flint sat in and competed well to nullify Basford’s threat and drive from midfield whereas Alex Wolny did what he does best - provide a physical presence, work hard, challenge and tire further some already-knackered home defenders.

I hope the lads savoured every last moment of the victory - the celebrations afterwards certainly suggested so, and I hope they’ve all got massive grins on their faces this morning. Football can be an emotional roller-coaster at the best of times and such dramatic moments like scoring a last-gasp injury-time winner don’t come along very often!

Take it all in and enjoy it this weekend enormously, but also cast a fleeting thought back to last weekend’s defeat to Burton Albion, how that felt, and get ready to ‘go again’ in preparation for an away game at Harrogate Town next Saturday where consistency and another good performance full of hard-work will be paramount to winning again.

Whack on some Avicii or Swedish House Mafia (my music taste is immaculate!) on full blast, get the blood going and fists pumping, celebrate in style, talk about it plenty, and recapture last night’s emotions and exactly what it meant and above everything… bring on Rotherham United!

And for any Doncaster Rovers fans who’ve read this far then get your backsides off the sofa and to the Keepmoat Stadium to give these lads the support they deserve in Round Two! They’ve worked their nuts off to progress and achieve good things for the club you're meant to support so reward them by turning up to support them in return!

The game will be played before Saturday 20th November (Date TBC) and it’ll be far more exciting than watching Eric Pollard or Kim Tate in whatever crap storyline there is on Emmerdale!

Get in and well done!!!

Shane Temple... one who got away!

When AFC Sudbury take on Colchester United in their televised FA Cup First Round encounter tonight, there'll be a former Doncaster Rovers trialist (maybe starting) in the underdogs' line-up.

Sudbury, the lowest ranked team left in the competition, probably couldn't believe their luck when Colchester (their nearest Football League club) were pulled out of the bag as their opponents and it's little surprise the BBC Sport cameras are flocking to the King's Marsh Stadium to televise the game!

For Shane Temple, this is another big chance to impress new audiences!

Shane Temple in action at Sudbury (Photo: Mecha Morton).

Essex born and bred, the 18-year-old striker (who turns 19 in January) has been on the radar of many Football League clubs over the past year including DRFC - where he had an extended trial around the same time Darren Moore departed for Sheffield Wednesday.

Quick and athletic in equal measure with a knack of getting into good areas and ruthless infront of goal, his trial was 'successful' in the respect that he bagged two goals in a 4-2 victory over Rotherham United and earned himself another week at the club in the process - showing all the attributes that Rovers' youngsters had been missing in attacking areas all season.

Here's what I wrote about him after witnessing his performance against Rotherham: "Though I never like to form an opinion of players on just one showing, A.Trialist (whose name I know and have checked out online) certainly has something about him and it's no surprise that he's already created headlines by scoring a bagful in a game for his parent club, who compete in non-league, earlier this season. He's aged 18 already so would be ineligible for the youth team next year anyway but, irrespective of that or whether he actually appears again, he's certainly got something about him. Whether it be leading the line, to scoring his goals, to his touch, movement and technique, he was excellent, and absolutely fair play to him because you can only appreciate and admire the sort of performance which he produced."

His talent was obvious and a breath of fresh air but for some reason he wasn't signed (usually when there is a cost involved, even if it's just for a packet of crisps, it becomes a problem for DRFC) and Temple instead moved on to try and earn himself a contract elsewhere.

Trials then followed at Nottingham Forest, Derby County, Sunderland (for whom he bagged a couple of goals at U18s level), Glasgow Rangers and a few others but he wasn't signed. A similar trial, this time much closer to home at Southend United, occurred at the end of last season but again it ended in the same old story - no deal!

Nevertheless, not to be disheartened by having received so many knock-backs, Temple returned to Sudbury - immediately firing in a hat-trick in a Youth Cup Final, and has appeared frequently for them ever since. He bagged the second goal in the 3-1 win over Dartford in the Fourth Qualifying Round which helped fire Sudbury into the limelight and tonight's game.

His pedigree and form on a football pitch can be traced back a few years to Braintree Town where his fledgling career began by becoming one of the youngest ever players (if not actually the youngest ever) to play in the National League when he made his senior debut against Bromley in March 2019, aged just 16 years and two months.

Another appearance at Braintree followed before he moved to Sudbury where his impressive goalscoring exploits, initialy at U18s and then at first team level - for whom he bagged four times against Harborough Town in September 2020, caught the attention of many outsiders.

So if you happen to be watching the game tonight and you're impressed by Shane Temple then he very nearly could have been the next Alfie May or Max Watters - plucked from non-league obscurity and thrust into the red and white hoops of Doncaster Rovers... but it wasn't to be!

Good luck, Shane!