Doncaster Rovers under-18s secured a 3-1 victory over Walsall in the Youth Alliance League at Cantley Park on Saturday morning, with 15-year-old forward Dylan Hartley scoring twice and Luke Hamer adding an impressive solo goal.
The match began slowly, with goalkeeper Rowbotham making the first meaningful save on 12 minutes, holding Oliver Nash's low effort from the edge of the area. Walsall's Vasilis Vreto had the first shot on target for the visitors but fired straight at Rowbotham.
First Half
Rovers took the lead ten minutes before half-time when Hartley met a Harry Glaves cross from the right and volleyed into the net. Myles Walshaw, playing aged just 15, came close to adding a second before the interval, turning his marker and striking narrowly wide of the bottom left corner.
Half-time: Rovers 1-0 Walsall
Second Half Display
Glaves had an early opportunity in the second half, heading just over the bar after being found by Hamer's cross. Hamer then got his reward on 63 minutes, picking up the ball on the edge of the area and hammering a strike from range into the bottom left corner.
Walshaw had a one-on-one chance four minutes later but was denied by the onrushing Walsall keeper. Five minutes from time, Hartley sealed victory when he stole the ball in an advanced position and side-footed past the keeper into the bottom corner.
Ethan Khan scored a late goal for Walsall against the run of play, but the introduction of 14-year-old Frankie Morrell from the bench five minutes from time provided the day's final highlight, marking his under-18s debut.
Full-time: Rovers 3-1 Walsall