'Encouraging', 'Failed to impress': Doncaster Rovers player ratings following EFL Trophy loss against Huddersfield Town

Doncaster Rovers fell to a disappointing 3-1 defeat against Huddersfield Town in the first match of their EFL Trophy campaign.

Grant McCann made nine changes to the team that was beaten at the weekend against Plymouth Argyle. James Husband made his first start for Rovers in a competitive match since a 1-0 loss away to Leicester City in the Championship back in 2014. There was also a first start for Matty Pearson as he came in to play against his former club.

Other players to get given an opportunity included Josh Clarke for the first time since making his loan a permanent, George Broadbent, Leon Ayinde, Harry Clifton, Jordan Thomas, Darren Robinson and Bayley McCann. Sean Grehan and Brandon Hanlan were the only names to keep their places in the team.

Rovers took the lead late in the first half. The goal came through a nice passage of play from the Rovers midfield, with Clifton playing Ayinde through on goal with the killer pass before the former Ipswich Town man cooly converted from close range.

McCann’s side were good value for their lead in the first 45 and remained in the ascendancy in the first 20 minutes of the second half with Thomas in particular finding lots pockets of space and testing the keeper on a few occasions.

However, as Rovers failed to find the second goal and saw the game slip completley out of control when substitute James Spencer levelled proceedings. His goal was then followed by a quickfire double through Joe Low and Lasse Sorensen.

It’s a scoreline perhaps not reflective of the 90 minutes as a whole, but one which highlights the team’s fragile confidence at this moment in time after a challenging winless run. Here are our player ratings from the match.

GK: Josh Clarke - 6: Made his first start since his loan move was turned into a permanent. Commanded his penalty area well with a series of good catches in the first half. Wasn’t majorly at fault for any of the goals he conceded.

LB: James Husband: 6 : His first start in a competitive home outing since a 2-1 defeat to Bolton Wanderers in 2014. Looked sharp in the first hour despite the time out but looked less comfortable once he got moved over to centre-back.

CB: Matty Pearson - 6: The defender, playing against his former club in his first appearance of the season, looked calm and assured defensively in the first half, but was probably at fault for one of the goals in a 17-minute spell which saw the team collapse defensively.

CB: Sean Grehan - 5: The youngster, who scored his first goal for the club against Plymouth, did a decent job in the first half, but found it tough in the second.

RB: Bayley McCann - 6: Produced a threatening cross from a free kick to set up Grehan for an effort at goal. Did his defensive duties fairly well in the first-half before being moved slightly further forward in the second 45.

CM: George Broadbent - 5: Was booked early in the first half. Not his best performance.

CM: Harry Clifton - 7: Was heavily involved in Rovers’ opener, producing the killer pass to set up Ayinde’s opener. He started centrally in midfield but also played part of the game on the right side in a successful tactic tweak by McCann.

CM: Darren Robinson -5: Failed to impress when handed a start.

LM: Leon Ayinde - 7: Took his goal well in the first half. His pace caused problems for the Terriers backline. His best performance since joining in the summer.

RM: Jordan Thomas - 7: Started out wide for the first 15 minute but played large chunks of the game in a more central role. It seemed to suit him quite well. An encouraging performance.

ST: Brandon Hanlan - 5: One of just two players to keep his place in the side. Worked hard and had the occasional half-chance to score but wasn’t really able to affect the game as much as he’d have liked.

Substitutes

Hakeeb Adelakun - 5: Back in for the first time in two matches after failing to make the matchday squad. Didn’t really have time to influence the game.

Lincoln Pawlak - N/A

Jonny Tomlinson - N/A

Isaac Hutchinson - N/A

Alex Pavan - N/A