U18 Doncaster Rovers v Whitehorse

An overcast, cool and damp day greeted the players at Terrara Park. The ground had many muddy patches that slowed up the ball but this was not the full story for the game, where the off-side trap and an over zealous ref combined to bring frustration out in the players, the coaching staff and the spectators. It wasn’t really flash being the linesman today either, as many controversial calls were made that neither side were happy with.

Rovers started with Luke in goals, Diego sweeping, James & Daniel as twin Central Defenders, Anthony & Chris as Right & Left Wing-Backs respectively, Petar & Connor were in midfield, alongside Johnny (who had moved from his usual Central Defensive role to replace Michael who was absent) with Ricky & Drew up forward. Matt, Lucas, Paul F, Steve & Andrew were on the pine.
The game commenced at a lively pace with Rovers showing good endeavor at the ball,
combining well through the defense and midfield, but coming unstuck with offside as soon as the ball crossed the half way line. On the small ground Whitehorse played all their defenders on the centre line and allowed the goalie to mop up any long balls forward. Rovers could not come to terms with the set up. We were content to play long balls over the top of the defense, rather than our usual passing to feet game. We were intent on trying to always go forward quickly with the long ball or we held onto the ball for too long, which made it easier for the Whitehorse defenders to play the offside trap to perfection.
According to the Ref there was no such thing as passive offside and really all players had to be in their own half when the ball was passed forwards on most occasions.
Everyone was calling foul and I was feeling like a turkey!

After about 25 minutes of what I call stalemate play, everyone was becoming more vocal. At least we did not have the vuvusela’s ringing in our ears to compound the misery. Finally after some productive forward movement (onside) Drew passed to Petar who ran the ball forwards, got around a couple , went back onto his favoured right foot, and buried the ball into the top left hand corner of the net. The blood pressure went down a few notches for the Rovers supporters and players, although the coach’s bench was still pretty vocal. Whitehorse did not have a lot of the play and when they did get the ball it was bomb and hope. Rovers defense was standing tall with Luke, Diego, Chris, Daniel, James and Anthony all winning the ball and passing forwards with skill and dash. In the midfield Johnny was controlling the play and Ricky and Drew had a couple of chances to extend the lead but their shots were either wide or soft.
Just before half time, Ricky received a pass in his own half, turned, & beat the offside trap, with a defense splitting ball, which found Johnny, who had timed his run perfectly from midfield. Johnny calmly controlled the pass and chipped the advancing keeper for our second goal.


Half-time score: Whitehorse 0 : Rovers 2

The second half was more of the same as the Ref struggled for control by overusing the free kick and the players and parents were seeing red. Diego mouthed off and the Ref certainly saw red.
We were now down to 10 Men, and a bit of a reshuffle saw Chris move to sweeper, with Anthony, Daniel and James, now playing as man markers in a defensive four formation.
Drew dropped back into an attacking midfield role, leaving Ricky as a sole striker. Ricky was also becoming frustrated and was eventually given a rest after a couple of good attempts at goal. Matt came on as a direct change.
Once again Johnny came to the fore with several good runs forward.
On one occasion and with no forwards to play to, he kept possession, beat not one, not two, not three, not four, but five Whitehorse players and the advancing keeper to score one of the goals of the season. Johnny was rewarded a few minutes later with his hat-trick after a good through ball from Connor.
This was turning into the Johnny show with plenty of assistance from players around him, like Connor who put in several good passes to advantage that kept Rovers on the attack. The defenders were winning most contested ball apart from one lucky header that fell for the Whitehorse forward to score their only goal for the game. Luke put in many fine saves, one where he tipped the ball over the net was a cracker. Look out Mark Schwarzer!
Lucas and Andrew both came on to add fresh legs in the last 10 – 15 minutes, and Paul F made a welcome return after 8 weeks with injury, in the last 5 minutes.
The Ref continued to puzzle most at the ground with his calls and when he disappeared into the canteen half way through the second half most thought he needed a strong coffee, however I later found out he was just checking to see when his pie would be warm! Haha!

This was one game where the Ref’s final whistle was most welcome, we could all go home and think about work or school tomorrow, something a lot more predictable than a game of soccer.

It was a difficult afternoon, but once again this squad has proven it has the grit & determination to succeed, even in the face of adversity.
This was certainly a game we can learn from and ensure that we are prepared, when we again meet them at home, later in the year.