Doncaster Rovers 1-0 Sunderland under-21s
Oscar Chamberlain reviews all the action from the Keepmoat Stadium as Sunderland continued their Checkatrade Trophy campaign against Doncaster Rovers.
The Lads needed a win to keep their hopes of progression intact, but it wasn’t to be as Issam Ben Khemis’ first-class strike handed Rovers a 1-0 win.
Defeat means Sunderland are out of the competition with one game – a trip to Grimsby Town next month – remaining.
FIRST-TEAM FOUR
Robbie Stockdale took charge of the game and he called upon four first-teamers as Mika, Jack Rodwell, Brendan Galloway and Donald Love started against Rovers. Rodwell featured in an unfamiliar role with the midfielder dropping in at centre back, as Galloway and captain Tom Beadling completed the back three. Denver Hume and Love offered protection and an attacking outlet in the wing-back berths as Andrew Nelson led the line.
MIDFIELD BATTLE
The opening 45 minutes are unlikely to be remembered in a few years’ time, perhaps even by the time those in attendance wake up tomorrow morning, but as far as Sunderland were concerned that was spot on. The young Black Cats were tenacious and displayed a grit beyond their years against their senior counterparts, with Stockdale’s side working tirelessly to deny the home side any space in the final third. Rovers had plenty of the ball and arguably showed more intent, but they failed to test Mika and were left frustrated. Andy Williams spurned the best chance with a wild effort sailing wide following sublime turn in the box, with Marko Marosi turning Ethan Robson’s free-kick wide at the last moment.
OPENED UP
Andy Williams’ free-kick ensured a lively end to the opening period, though, as the Doncaster captain’s set piece clattered the crossbar, and it set the tone for the stages following the interval as the game really opened up. With 51 minutes played, Sunderland could have led when Robson and Greenwood combined, but the former’s effort flashed across goal and narrowly wide. Nelson then held the ball up well before picking out Luke Molyneux, but a heavy touch allowed Doncaster to clear and counter, with half-time substitute Adam Bale producing a superb sliding tackle to deny the home side. And as the hour mark approached, Mika was forced into his first meaningful save as the stopper clawed Khemis’ effort wide of the post.
ROVERS SNATCH VICTORY
Doncaster introduced James Morris at the interval and with 30 minutes remaining they made their final changes as Cody Prior and Morgan James entered the fray. The fresh legs handed the home side the edge and with 20 to go they took a 1-0 lead, as Khemis curled a delightful 20-yard strike into the top corner after Sunderland gave up possession in their defensive third. Jack Diamond was introduced in the latter stages as the Black Cats searched for a route back into the game, but they were unable to find one and their final game in this season’s competition will take place at Grimsby next month.
Doncaster Rovers: Marosi, Alcock, Mason (James 63), Williams (Morris 46), Fletcher, Khemis, Mandeville, Garratt, Toffolo (Prior 63), Walker, Fielding.
Substitutes: Jones, Townrow.
Sunderland under-21s: Mika, Love, Beadling, Rodwell, Galloway, Gamble (Diamond 77), E Robson, Greenwood, Molyneux, Hume (Bale 46), Nelson.
Subs: T Robson, Talbot, Yatlor, Storey, Allan.