U18 Match Report - round 5

U18 Doncaster Rovers vs Riversdale 29th May, 2011

On a cool, windless and overcast day Rovers were at home to the well fancied Riversdale team that had come to claim bragging rights at our home ground.
With Drew & Loch back in the side Rovers started off with Aaron in goal, Steve, Xavier and Nima at the back along with Loch sweeping, then Michael, Alex and Sam midfield then Drew, Anthony & John up forward. Later in the game Jani , Mitch & Aiden all came on to continue the good teamwork in the second half.
The game opened up at a fast pace and didn’t really slow down for the rest of the game. Both teams showed plenty of passing skills and good teamwork with the defenses on top for most of the game. We had a few boys carrying injuries that altered the team balance as Xavier was sore and had to fill the backline hole left by Anthony as well as Jani & Mitch who started on the pine. Rovers had slightly the better of general field play as a few opportunities opened up. Drew ran onto a good through ball, got in front of two defenders but kicked within reach of the keeper.
Riversdale also had opportunities as a couple of quick attacks allowed a good shot on goal only to be snapped up by Aaron in the teeth of goal. Our defense was tested more than once with Steve shutting down his man with clever intercepts and Xavier really putting the pressure on attackers with timely intercepts. Loch also won a string of Riversdale attacks by moving to the front in the last seconds to repel attacks and set up counter attacks. Nima was also cool in the crisis by passing the ball around to advantage.
In another forward move Drew ran into space and looked most likely but his shot was just wide. Bad luck about the left foot!

Half-time score: Rovers 0 : Riversdale 0

Rovers got on the good side of the Ref who continued to pay offsides that were not there overruling side line refs who fairly paid all offsides even to the detriment of their own sides. Both teams earned corners as the pressure continued to mount, with neither defense willing to give an inch. Riversdale continued to own the midfield as their No 6 did as he pleased for most of the game. Michael, Alex and Sammy were winning a lot of contested ball in the centre but not finishing with the same effect as Riversdale. Out of nowhere Anthony crossed in a high ball in front of Drew who kicked mid air and the ball just sailed over the bar! It would have been a match winner. Anthony also had a chance to seal the game but again the ball went a fraction high. Rovers had the ball in their half for most of the last part of the game but could not find a way through to goal. The game was fair with several physical clashes but the Ref kept a tight leash on the players paying many free kicks not necessarily to advantage. Riversdale also had several shots on goal that were mopped up by Aaron or went well wide.
All the players were giving their best as we controlled the field positions but not the avenues to goal.
Scores at full-time: Doncaster Rovers 0 : Riversdale 0

ROVERS –another terrific exhibition of soccer at its best with both sides playing top grade football all day. Hopefully when we meet again our side will be not so restricted by injuries.