U18 Reports rounds 10-13

U18 Doncaster Rovers vs DOC 27th June, 2010

In a welcome rematch with a side that gave Rovers the second best opposition in the first round we looked forward to a good quality game. There was a minutes silence at the start of the game to honour Steve Hackett’s uncle, Paul Failla’s Grandfather and Steve Lamberty’s Grandmother.
Rovers started with Luke in goals, Chris sweeping, James & Daniel as twin Central Defenders, Drew & Steven at Right & Left wing back respectively, John, Petar & Connor in midfield, with Ricky & Matt up forward. Lucas, Andrew & Paul F were on the pine.
Steve (Coach) had given instructions to change the formation if DOC played with three up forward.
This is exactly what happened, which saw James then go to Right Back, Daniel at Centre Back and Steven at Left Back, with Drew moving to the right side of midfield alongside Petar, John & Connor.
The game started out with both sides passing the ball well and mounting strong attacks on the defense. While Rovers looked more likely to score DOC were having their fair share of the ball and putting our defense under pressure which Luke, Chris, Daniel and James were able to diffuse and return the pressure to the other end of the ground. After about 10 minutes of end to end play John beat two defenders and put a strong low shot into the left hand corner of the goal to bring up Rovers first goal. After a couple more forays at goal Ricky received a nice through ball and beat two defenders then ran at the keeper to put away a good left foot goal leaving the keeper helpless. This really knocked the stuffing out of DOC and most of the play was in front of the DOC goal as we lined up to have shots. Ricky had a few more shots, Steve, Petar and John all had shots that were either too high or too wide but not by much!
Ricky had a rest and Andrew came on to keep the forwards hungry.

Half-time score: Rovers 2 : DOC 0

The second half was again all Rovers with DOC combining well but apart from a couple of strong shots, that were well saved by Luke, did not really look like scoring. Drew, Petar, Andrew & Matt had a rest at various stages with the bench not warmed for very long. They were replaced by Lucas & Paul F as well as Ricky & Drew returning to the fray.
Ricky attempted a few good turns and shots with some going very close to goal. It was entertaining stuff and the Ref allowed the game to flow when the ball was to advantage, this resulted in few stoppages and little crowd “involvement” this week. Only our linesman Tony copped a friendly Bronx cheer when he forgot to return the spare ball. This resulted in a rear end flag waving incident, was this “chicken dance” or just “off-side”?

From a kick out the ball was passed quickly to Ricky who beat two and then the keeper from 3 metres to bring up another score. Soon after a series of snappy passes from Paul F to Connor to Drew allowed Drew to run the ball at the keeper and put away another goal as the gloom turned to darkness. From then on it was hard to see what was going on as the sun had well and truly set.

Scores at full-time: Rovers 4 : DOC 0

ROVERS – an honest team effort all day where the foot passing skills were rewarded with a flowing game and a good result at the end of the day
Last time we played it was 2 – 1, so we have improved by 3 goals on today’s score.

U18 Doncaster Rovers vs Sherbrooke 18th July, 2010

This was the game to decide who had the bragging rights and most probably the premiership for 2010. It was a rainy day all afternoon, without any wind, so play was not favoured at either end.
Rovers started with Luke in goals, Diego sweeping, James at Right Back, Daniel at Centre Back and Chris at Left Back, with Anthony, John, Paul F & Connor in the midfield, and Ricky & Matt up forward, in a changed 4-4-2 formation.
Drew, Petar, Andrew, John & Steve were on the pine.
Both sides opened up nervously with several forward skirmishes but no real pressure on the goalie. Sherbrooke were looking more dangerous with control in the midfield and better passing but they were falling down in front of goal where our defense were standing up well to the arrow like passes and rapier like thrusts of the men from “The Woods”
Out of the blue Rovers went forward and Ricky put in a good cross that went over Matt’s head to leave Connor free to swoop and volley home a clear GOAL!!, from just outside the 18 yd box.
Sherbrooke reassembled its forces and the band of not so merry men were on the attack, receiving the good end of the Ref’s whistle gaining the next 5 free kicks with a few shots on goal not amounting to much.
In another good forward move where Robin Hood’s men left a few holes in their defense Ricky put in a great run forwards beating 3 defenders in the box, got to the by-line and cut the ball back for Johnny to slot home another clear goal.
Celebrations were short lived when the Ref called offside or obstruction and disallowed a clear goal. Come on Ref this is not the World Cup just good (honest) U 18 local comp. This would have been the worst decision of the year and I wonder if this Ref had a secret tryst with Maid Marion. The boys were clearly disillusioned and Sherbrooke were ready to pounce with some class play of their own. A Merry man beat 2 and shot truly to get them back on even terms. Shortly after No 31 beat 3 defenders, who all lunged at the ball, to coolly put away their second goal. Shortly after the merry men put away another goal when our keeper missed a ball that went under his body. Half time could not come soon enough. Rovers were cut up in the midfield and their passing was non existent with most balls going in the air or behind their intended target. Under pressure we were looking fairly ordinary.

Half-time score: Rovers 1 (really 2) : Sherbrooke 3

The only difference in the second half was it rained even more. Sherbrooke were used to the forest rain and thrived with control in the midfield and better passing all around the ground. Their forward thrusts were pacy and dangerous with good defensive back up to keep the ball in our half for most of the time. Rovers had a couple of chances with Matt putting a strong left footer just over the cross bar and Ricky beating the keeper but hitting the side netting.
Rovers changed a few players with Drew, Steve, John, Petar and Andrew all coming on at various stages. Rovers passing improved but we could not break the Sherbrooke defense. In a final arrow to the heart the Merry men stormed forwards and passed between right wing to in front of the box where the forward crossed back allowing a simple headed goal to wrap the game up.
Sherbrooke deserved to win because they kept their game plan going under pressure whereas Rovers fell into the trap of hurrying their play under pressure and kicking anywhere.

Scores at full-time: Rovers 1 : Sherbrooke 4

ROVERS – a wake up call to the team to play to our plan under pressure.
We have to be content to be second best this year.
However players can strive to be their best every week.

U18 Doncaster Rovers vs Glen Waverley 25th July, 2010

We were presented with a fine, sunny and windless day for the first time in a long, long time. Rovers started with Luke in goals, Diego sweeping, Anthony & Steven as Right and Left Backs respectively, then James & Daniel in central defense, with Drew, Michael & Connor in the midfield, and Ricky & Matt up forward. Lucas, Andrew, Paul, Petar & Chris were on the pine.
Rovers opened slowly allowing GW most of the play and shots at goal.
GW were running down the side lines creating some havoc in the Rovers defense. Lucky Luke was “in the zone” today and made several good saves in the first half.
GW had 2 corners and Luke saved both with very clean hands, Rovers eventually getting the ball forwards but failing to shoot the first time and on the second occasion Ricky beat a couple of GW defenders but the ball went just wide. GW made another surge forwards and No 10 beat a couple and shot across Luke into the right corner for the first goal.
Rovers responded by getting into the game for the first time as Diego pushed forwards to receive a free out on the left. His free-kick bounced around like a pinball machine as it was headed out by GW straight to Drew who volleyed the ball towards goal, the ball came off another defender to Anthony who turned and volleyed home. We were back on level terms, although in general play were being outplayed over most of the park. GW continued to attack but Daniel got in the way to force a corner. Steve went off with an asthma attack and Chris came on.

Half-time score: Rovers 1 : Glen Waverley 1

A good run down the left wing by Chris gained Rovers a corner. Michael put a well weighted ball into the goal mouth that the keeper dropped. Daniel was at the spill and calmly put away a crisp left footer to give Rovers an early advantage. Rovers started to pass the ball around more and gained midfield control, allowing the forwards more space to run onto the ball and this put GW under pressure. GW were still going forwards but when Diego, Chris, James & Daniel were passed there was always Luke ready to mop up. Perhaps Toni should try this tactic at home and see if Luke can mop up there too!
Both teams were putting in good chains of passes down the wings but Rovers continued to threaten. Ricky made a good run towards goal and was brought down in the penalty area. Ricky took the penalty from the spot and converted easily. From the restart GW pushed forwards to be again thwarted by Luke.
With all the reserves on Rovers were clearly on top and kept the GW defense on their toes with 4 corners but could not convert on any occasion. On their next forward move Petar wrong footed the defense and passed across to Connor who lined up the goal and deftly floated the ball over the keeper’s arms into the back of the net for another Rovers goal. Soon after this Paul F had an almost identical shot as Connor but this time the keeper just managed to tip the ball up over the cross bar to force a corner. It was a good save but Paul must be asking himself how Connors went in but his didn’t!

Scores at full-time: Rovers 4 : Glen Waverley 1

ROVERS – it took most of the first half for the boys to wake up however when we did and started passing the ball around we looked much better.