BURTON Albion’s Professional Development Phase side showed their class and character as they came from behind to beat Doncaster Rovers 2-1 in the EFL Youth Alliance League at St. George’s Park.
Goals from Max Raine and Callum Niven rewarded the Young Brewers' solid defensive display as they secured the three points after going behind mid-way through the first half.
In a game where both teams struggled to break each other down, Albion’s defensive effort earnt them the win to set them up perfectly for their upcoming trip to Preston North End for the EFL Youth Alliance Cup semi-final.
Doncaster looked threatening down the left-hand side throughout, the left-back and left-wing combination of Tom Parkinson and Tavonga Kuleya creating numerous opportunities early on.
Five minutes in, a give-and-go to get in behind the Albion defence led to a dangerous cross from Kuleya which was met by Alex Wolny who headed just wide.
The young Doncaster winger continued to run at the Burton defence and looked to cut inside onto his right foot. With 20 minutes played, the warning signs were there as a curled effort went just over the bar.
Moments later, a second effort brought a good save out of Dan Moore and momentum was growing for the away team.
Both teams tried to play out of the back with little success. However, on 28 minutes, Doncaster managed to find midfielder Owen Scattergood in a pocket of space, he turned and played the ball over the top to WOLNY who dribbled into the box and fired the ball past Moore into the back of the net to put the away side in front.
The Brewers response was almost immediate as just two minutes after going behind, Connor Pace swung in a beautiful corner that was met by striker Niven, however the header passed just over the top of the crossbar.
Albion’s reaction came with its reward on 35 minutes, Niven’s freekick was struck too powerfully for the Doncaster goalkeeper Tom Chambers to catch, he parried the ball right into the path of RAINE who was first onto the scene to put the ball into the net and equalise.
The Young Brewers grew in confidence following Raine’s strike - holding onto the ball and controlling the game leading up to the break ensured that the teams went into half time at 1-1.
As the second half began, Burton picked up from where they left off and straight away were causing the Doncaster backline some problems.
Charlie Williams, who was a threat throughout the game, got onto the ball in the middle of the park, then played a clever reverse pass into the path of Kiyan McKay, his cross was met by Niven whose header was met with a great save by Tom Chambers to keep the scores level.
The game was not level for much longer though, another bursting run into the box by Williams saw him chip the ball over the goalkeeper and into the path of NIVEN who fired the Young Brewers in front with 58 minutes on the clock.
With the Brewers ahead, PDP Lead Coach Sam Rose looked to tighten up at the back and changed to a 4-4-2.
Doncaster struggled to create from then onwards, and the Brewers started to look more and more dangerous on the counter-attack.
With 70 minutes played, Doncaster called Dan Moore into action with a low driven shot by striker Jack Goodman well saved, however Albion broke quickly and if it wasn’t for Tom Chambers denying Charlie Williams from close range, the away side could’ve found themselves with a mountain to climb.
The Brewers controlled the flow of the in the latter stages, substitutions and slowing of the game meant that Doncaster could never get their rhythm going and sustain any kind of pressure.
However, in the dying embers of the game, a scramble led to the ball finding its way into the feet of Goodman, but an outstanding last-ditch sliding block from Toby Oakes meant that the Brewers took all three points at St. George’s Park.
Albion will look to continue their momentum as they take on Preston North End in the EFL Youth Alliance Cup semi-final.
GOALS: Raine, Niven.
BREWERS: Moore, Oakes, Raine, Robinson (Wakelin 62), Delap, Tamen (Hill 78), Nyahwema (Maginness 62), Pace, Niven, Williams, McKay (Scott 62). Subs not used: Laban.