Burton Albion U18 ‘v’ Doncaster Rovers U18
Final score 2 - 2
Welbeck DSFC
Sat 27 Sept 14
Burton Albion came from two-nil down to earn an excellent point at home to Doncaster Rovers in the Youth Alliance North East league.
The Brewers were put under immense pressure from Doncaster throughout, with the Yorkshire side implementing an aggressive high pressing style, which the Brewers were unable to cope with in the first-half.
Doncaster started strongly and took the lead in the 26th courtesy of an own-goal by Charlie Gatter, who diverted a cross into his own net.
The score remained one-nil until half time and after a change in personnel, the young Brewers started the second-half brightly.
The Brewers tried to press for the equaliser, but it was Doncaster who got the important second goal. The Rovers were awarded a penalty after 50 minutes, which was dispatched to give Doncaster the belief of taking all three points.
That belief was put into question as the second goal appeared to be a wakeup call for Burton Albion who started to ask questions of the Doncaster defence.
The Brewers got their first reply in the 67th min when Ben Fox picked up a loose ball on the edge of the box, beat a defender and placed a great shot into the corner.
The goal encouraged both sides and it became a great advert of free flowing football with each team having opportunities to add to the score line.
However with time running out the Brewers got their deserved equaliser in the 86th min through Lewis Troke. Troke, who was making his first appearance of the season after injury, hit an unstoppable shot from 25 yards.
Despite the equaliser and 8mins of added time, due to a lengthy injury to the Burton keeper, neither side could grab the winner, although Doncaster seemed the more likely of the two.
Neill Hornby, head of coaching was pleased his side were able to get a positive result against a strong Doncaster team.
“On reflection the performance was below par, but credit must go to Doncaster Rovers who came with the intention of playing aggressive high pressing football, which didn’t let us settle.
“This is a huge learning curve as this is something they must be able to deal with as they develop in their football careers.
“Being 2-0 down in any game with 25mins to go and coming back shows great character and belief, which is something that the Youth Team possesses in abundance
“Overall we see it as a fair result but I’m sure Doncaster will have a different opinion.”
The Brewers currently sit ninth with five points after five games and they are next in action against Shrewsbury Town in the League Cup, which will take place at Welbeck DSFC on Sat 4 October, kick-off 11.00am.