Burton Albion (U18s) 0-2 Doncaster Rovers (U18s)

Burton Albion (U18s) 0-2 Doncaster Rovers (U18s)

EFL Youth Alliance North-East Division

Friday 16th September 2022

Nobody can deny that it’s been a really positive start to the season for Doncaster Rovers U18s and another stride in the right direction was made as they went top of the EFL North-East Youth Alliance table with this 2-0 win Burton Albion.

After a cagey first half in which both teams had chances, Jack Goodman got the opener with a sweet left-footed strike from the edge of the box on the hour mark before Faris Khan capped off another good individual display by claiming the second goal.

Whilst Rovers’ stay at the summit is likely to last for just 24 hours - largely down to the fact that Bradford (one point behind them) play Lincoln (specialists in conceding goals at the moment) tomorrow, there’s a whole host of facts and statistics which underlines the undoubted progress the team is making.

- They're unbeaten in five games so far this season, winning four of them.

- They haven't conceded in 4 hours and 15 minutes (since the equaliser in the 1-1 draw at Rotherham).

- They've already kept three clean-sheets this term (two more than in the entirety of the 2020/21 campaign).

- They haven't conceded a goal from open play since the season began (7 hours and 30 minutes).

- They've just beaten a Burton Albion team who did the ‘double’ over them last year, scoring seven times in the process.

- They've made a winning start in the Group Stages of both their cup competitions.

On top of all that, the team is looking much more organised compared to previously which is down to the impact Chad Gribble has made since his appointment as youth team manager.

I've now seen enough games to state with confidence that I feel the lads can challenge for a top three position. I won't state the title because Bradford are a very good side, as are Grimsby, but if this result can be followed up with three more points in both the upcoming fixtures against Scunthorpe and Harrogate, it will properly cement their position in the league table.

For this fixture at St George Park’s, there was just one change to the team which put five goals past Hull City in the Premier League Cup a fortnight ago as Tom Parkinson replaced Will Green.

Rovers began positively and went close in just the second minute when Faris Khan's corner towards the far-post narrowly evaded Max Adamson who'd taken up a good position. Adamson was in the thick of the action again shortly afterwards when he seized upon a slip by a Burton defender (as the hosts tried to play out from the back) and threaded a pass through to Jack Raper who skewed his shot across goal and wide when he ought to have laid it on a plate for Jack Goodman.

Either side of Jak Whiting needing treatment after a heavy collision in a 50-50 in the centre circle, the Brewers tried their luck with a couple of 'pot shots' from distance; neither of which troubled Jake Oram. The Rovers ‘keeper was tested when some piercing play by Burton culminated in their No.2 reaching the byline and unleashing a vicious near-post attempt - but, even if the ball had gone in the net, the flag was already up for offside anyway!

Charlie Petch fired over when a recycled corner dropped to him inside the box in Donny’s next chance before Burton squandered a gilt-edged opportunity to take the lead when they counter-attacked down the right and played a ball inside to their No.7 who had time and space to do much more than blaze harmlessly over the upright.

The miss meant it remained 0-0 at half-time and, initially after the re-start, the Brewers looked the more likely of the two teams to make the breakthrough with some dangerous balls down their right flank which had to be defended against. They also picked up quite a lot of second balls around this point but weren’t able to convert that into anything meaningful infront of goal because when they did get an opening, Oram was quick and alert to smother the danger really well.

It was against the balance of play at this point that Rovers then bagged the opener on the hour mark.

Khan was instrumental as he won possession when Burton ought to have cleared their lines and played a neat ball through to Raper, who then found Goodman located on the edge of the ‘D’. The striker opened his body up to receive the pass and move away from his marker before executing a powerful left-foot drive into the bottom corner. BOOM. 1-0.

The opener signalled a turning point because from then onwards, Rovers were a lot more dominant and forceful within their play - especially in the middle of the park. Raper got on the ball more, Khan grew with confidence, and Josh Lindley played a key role in the second goal which came on 70 minutes. His through ball released Goodman and although the forward saw his effort from a relatively tight angle palmed away, Khan capitalised on some hesitant defending to fire home on the rebound from close to the penalty spot. 2-0.

With the prize of being ‘top of the table’ looming, the outcome never looked in doubt during the latter stages and Rovers would have won by a bigger scoreline had Burton’s 'keeper (donning some very questionable pink boots) not saved separate attempts from both Khan and substitute Harry Wood.

The lads can take a lot of confidence from this result because Burton are a decent team who played well in parts and showed enough to suggest they’ll take points off other teams who'll be at or around the top of the league this season. Their No.4, Finn Delap, and No.7, especially (although I don't know his name) deserve a mention because they gave a good account of themselves at different points.

Rovers performance still needs improvement in some areas; the ball retention could definitely have been better at times during the first period and the movement could have been quicker in open play a few times, but the first goal came at a really good time and the collective display went up a few notches after it. The last 30 minutes were very positive, the facts/stats speak for themselves (especially the defensive ones) and it says a lot about the standards of this group that they’re top of the league but will still want to improve and get even better.

Individually, Charlie Petch made some excellent blocks in the first half which were crucial and played a big part towards the outcome; Will Flint performed strongly in the second half and Jak Whiting (up against a really talented opponent) played his part in helping to keep another clean-sheet. When Jake Oram, behind them, did find himself being tested, he dealt with what he had to and it was his best performance of his scholarship so far.

The midfield, including Jack Raper and Josh Lindley, all got better as the game progressed and Faris Khan, in particular, deserves an extended mention because his role in both goals were quality - and how he took the game to Burton in the second half was excellent. He looks so much more confident, assured on the ball and established compared to last year and he’s playing some great football at the minute. Keep it up, keep striving and keep working hard because it's a pleasure to see it happening.

Alex Fletcher is always good to watch and again he showed the right ideas in this game (even when they didn’t pay off - and even when he let out a frustrated squeal when he crossed straight into the arms of the 'keeper early in the second half). His consistent traits means he’ll be one of the first picks on the team-sheet at present, whilst Tom Parkinson looked a big threat against his full-back, Burton's No.2, whenever he had any kind of battle with him. It’s a shame the ball wasn’t played down his flank as much as it was the other flank in the first half because there was certainly potential for something to happen there.

Max Adamson started well and then had a quiet game by his standards; which happens to everyone from time to time but he's got nothing to worry about given how well he's played in other recent games up to now. Owen Scattergood looked bright and added a spark of enthusiasm and energy upfront when he replaced him, whilst Jack Goodman once again did what he does best - and the technique for his latest goal was up there and as good as anything I've seen from him.

Harry Wood tried his best to make myself look like ‘Mystic Meg’ as I told him he’d get a big chance to score when he was warming up (because I’ve got the confidence that he’ll always get into positions to enjoy chances), Justin Bennett will be happy to have got some game-time, whilst Freddie Allen featured for the final few minutes in a case of 'shutting up shop' to ensure another clean-sheet.

I know enough about the lads to know they won't get carried away at being top of the league overnight. That said, it’s something of a mini-milestone which they've reached and it's a position they’ll be hoping to spend more time in over the course of the season.

Next up are Scunthorpe; they’ll pose a few threats, and another big performance will be needed.

Over to you lads…

Team: Jake Oram, Alex Fletcher, Jak Whiting (C), Josh Lindley (Justin Bennett), Charlie Petch, Will Flint, Faris Khan (Harry Wood), Jack Raper, Jack Goodman (Freddie Allen), Max Adamson (Owen Scattergood), Tom Parkinson. Unused Subs: Chris Pooley, Will Green.

Sheffield United (U21s) 2-1 Peterborough United (U21s)

Sheffield United (U21s) 2-1 Peterborough United (U21s)

Professional Development League

Tuesday 13th September 2022

A goal in each half meant Sheffield United picked up the three points in this Premier League Professional Development League game against Peterborough United.

By no means was it 'vintage' from the Blades, but they were still the better team and the scoreline was a fair enough reflection of what unfolded. George Broadbent got the opener, the equally as impressive Louie Marsh doubled the lead on the hour mark before Posh reduced arrears late on through Joe Taylor.

Due to now playing the crux of their PDL home fixtures at York's LNER Stadium (some 50+ miles from Sheffield), this was United’s first U21s game at Bramall Lane this term.

Amongst the more familiar names in their line-up were Oliver Arblaster (always a pleasure to watch) and he’s recently broken into the first team, George Broadbent, who spent last season out on loan at Rochdale, and Sydie Peck whose 18th birthday it was. Finlay Potter (wearing No.4 and not No.5 as the team-sheet incorrectly stated) and Louie Marsh also featured having battled through bad injuries in the past 12 months.

Following a relatively quiet start, the game sprung to life when the Blades’ midfield trio of Peck, Arblaster and Broadbent, plus Potter, all combined for the opening goal.

The birthday boy dropped back to the halfway line to get possession and played it to Potter. He found Arblaster who, instinctively on the half-turn, knocked an inviting first-time ball through for Broadbent to latch onto. The ex-Rochdale loanee still had lots to do as he advanced towards the edge of the area with the ball at his feet but before a Posh player could put a tackle in (or get near him), he looked up and with one accurate swing of his boot, unleashed a low drive into the bottom corner. It was a ruthless, well-executed finish on the back of a high quality and purposeful passage of play. 1-0.

Despite the breakthrough, United toiled a bit as they sought to add further damage.

Potter was often guilty of playing a few too many balls over the top which Peterborough's defence were only too happy to collect although when the Blades did get the ball on the ground they looked a threat. Marsh applied himself well to pose a frequent nuisance whilst Broadbent looked the biggest threat as he made several clever runs in-behind (some worked; some didn’t - but the ideas were always clever). When he broke down the left side and whistled an inviting low ball across the goalmouth on 37 minutes, Theo Williams saw his shot saved by Will Lakin from pretty much point-blank range.

Williams knew he ought to have made it 2-0 but, on the flip side, Posh themselves had already squandered a golden chance to make it 1-1 up at the other end. The Blades defence were horribly caught out when they tried to play out from the back; Potter was the guilty party who gifted the ball straight to an attacker inside his own box yet with only Callum Hiddleston to beat, Kellan Hickinson skewed his shot wide. Hickinson was also off-target from about 20 yards closer to half-time which meant the Blades remained in the ascendency by the interval.

Marsh went close not long after the break when he forced a save from Arblaster’s near-post cross and, with things pretty even, Peterborough then put the ball in the net through Taylor - only to see his effort ruled out for offside.

With an hour played, the team wearing red and white made it 2-0. 

Peterborough’s Dan Butler was at fault as his stray pass inside went straight to Marsh's feet. About 30 yards out, the attacker still had lots to do but his technique as he carried the ball forward, was as good as the eventual finish; a low drive across the ‘keeper and into the bottom corner. Another example of being clinical when it matters.

To Posh’s credit, they made a decent fist of things in what remained of the game and were unfortunate not to return back to London Road with a point in the end.

Taylor reduced arrears with 10 minutes to go when he slotted home having got through before the same player ought to have made it 2-2, prior to a lengthy amount of injury-time, when he turned well inside the box, retained his balance and had both time and space to pick his spot only for his low drive to be comfortably saved by Hiddleston. Another shot was whistled just inches wide; and so close, in fact, that it knocked over Hiddleston’s water bottle.

Ultimately, despite the game finishing beyond 3.00pm and Posh posing a decent threat in the latter stages, it was the Blades who picked up all the points.

Individually, there were some alright performances by those in Sheffield United shirts.

George Broadbent was one. He took his goal well and posed a persistent threat; showing good technique in various instances to bring the ball onto his right foot. His good play provided the chance for Theo Williams and he raised a smile during his ‘exchange of words’ with a Peterborough defender just before half-time. Considering he’s been out on loan various times already and turns 22 very soon, it wouldn’t surprise me if he’s loaned out again sometime in the near future.

Bar one instance in the second half where he was caught in possession on the edge of his own box, Oliver Arblaster’s quality shone through again. He just looks so composed on the ball and trustworthy with how he applies himself. I appreciate good players; he's always a pleasure to watch - and it's testatment to his quality that he was kicked and clattered as much as he was during the last half-hour or so.

Louie Marsh made a positive impression. He was dangerous on and off the ball, showed glimpses of intelligence and took his goal well. He’s still got areas for physical development (which will happen in time because he's only just turned 18) but whenever I watch the Blades next, I'll be keeping an eye on him specifically because there was something about this display which makes me think he could hold his own when he inevitably goes out on loan into a first team environment. I liked what I saw.

It wasn’t Sydie Peck’s best ever performance (and he’ll have probably wondered himself what he was doing during a 30-second spell in the first half when he lost possession by trying to force the ball forward and then played an intended pass straight out of play). That aside, the two things which stood out were his defensive contributions and just how much he dropped back to deep areas to get on the ball, plus how he appears to have significantly ‘bulked up’ over the summer. That will be vital in his development because, technically, he's a class act for his age group and is a player I've already got a lot of respect for.

Elsewhere, Finley Potter couldn't be faulted for his application and how he attacked things. The long balls (which he was guilty of playing) might not please everyone but, equally, that style will work in some environments, and I'd like to think he's growing in confidence all the time now that he's recovered from the injury which kept him out for so long.

Nobody really stood-out for Peterborough with the possible exception of Charlie O’Connell who was tidy with his footwork and played at centre-back in their 3-4-1-2 formation. I'm not sure if that's his best position or if he’s there simply due to his height, but he was still as good as anyone in a blue shirt.

Next Up: Burton Albion (U18s) vs Doncaster Rovers (U18s) at St George's Park on Friday.

Bradford Park Avenue 1-3 Darlington

Bradford Park Avenue 1-3 Darlington

National League North

Monday 12th September 2022