Round 13 - U15 A Boys

U15A Doncaster Rovers vs Whitehorse 2nd August

On a cold very windy day we had the short straw and played on the top ground.
All the parents had rugged up with beanie’s and coats the order of the day. With a strong cross wind favouring the East end Rovers started off at top pace.
Luke was in goal, York was sweeping, Chris T and Daniel were playing as twin Central Defenders whilst Elliott and Steve were playing as wide wing backs on the left and right respectively. Nik was the Central Midfielder, flanked by Drew on the right and Alex on the left with Matt V and Michael as twin strikers.
Rovers started positively with Drew running into space down the right, following terrific through balls from Nik D and Steve, and delivered 2 good crosses beating the keeper but eventually cleared away by the Whitehorse defense. Elliott was also on top on the left with some strong runs and crosses that went too long with the aid of the strong wind. Strong play all round really, with Michael & Matt V providing plenty of options up front!

Rovers were playing to the feet all over the ground and Whitehorse had no answer, to the fluid passing and movement. After a series of good passes Drew shot on goal but the keeper saved on the line. Whitehorse replied with a long bomb that Luke cleaned up easily. Rovers continued to pressure the opposition with all players first to the ball and crisp passing to all positions on the ground. When we weren’t in possession, we were quick to close down the opposition and force the turnovers. After several more attempts on goal, we were awarded a penalty following a brilliant build up, which started in our own defense when Daniel won possession. An early pass to Steve, then to Drew and another to Alex saw the play switch from right to left. Alex played a through ball to
Matt V who beat his defender and then was brought down in the box, by a tackle from behind. The Ref awarded the penalty and Nik stepped up to bury the ball in the back of the net with the goalie still in slow motion. Mitch came on to keep the momentum going, with Matt V earning a well deserved rest.
As soon as Whitehorse went forward Chris T, Daniel and York mopped up clinically and the ball was back in the forward half in the blink of an eye. Steve and Drew were dominating down the right and with sure passing cutting the opposition to shreds. In the midfield Nik and Alex were creating many forward moves and Michael and Matt V were also getting plenty of the ball with timely runs. Alex had a couple of half chances and Nik even tried a left footer. Just before the break Drew cruised down the right and delivered a cross into the box where an attempted volley by Michael P was blocked by a defender. The deflection fell to Alex who passed across to Matt V whose crisp, well driven shot beat the keeper, to score Rovers second goal. Michael P also had another shot on goal but the ball was saved by the keeper

Half-time score: Rovers 2 : Whitehorse 0

Rovers were into the wind in the second half but continued to dominate field possession with good passing from all players. We had the opening two shots on goal without a result with Michael a bit wide, then Alex struck well but the keeper saved. Soon after Drew and Steve combined down the right with Whitehorse giving away a free and yellow card for a poor tackle. Soon after Chris T won a 50/50 contest, made a great run through midfield and closed in on goal. His great strike on goal from 20 metres was only denied by a good save from the Whitehorse keeper who deflected the shot over the bar.
Chris S, Nick V and Matt V all came on to keep the teamwork flowing. And Whitehorse looked “shell shocked” with any semblance of team play blown off the park. More good play in the mid-field by Nik set up Alex who got around a couple of defenders and then buried the ball into the net for a game sealer, well and truly. Dion came on and was soon in the play as Rovers continued to dominate all facets of the game. Whitehorse had half a chance late in the game with a couple of free’s but really never looked like it.
Rovers standard of play was clearly their best for the season and by the end of the game Whitehorse looked like they had been hit with a sledge hammer. Iron fist velvet glove!!

Scores at full-time: Doncaster Rovers 3 : Whitehorse 0

ROVERS – boys keep up your excellent standard of play in the last few weeks, we can still take top spot if Box Hill falter.