‘Masterclass’: The Portsmouth lad fighting back from injury heartache in stunning upset
The former Priory School student stepped up in the Carabao Cup upset of the night at Middlesbrough, as he battles back from injury woe with Doncaster Rovers.
Ben Close took centre stage in the Carabao Cup upset of the evening on a landmark night for the former Pompey midfielder.
Close has been beset by injury problems which have hampered his promising career, since leaving Fratton Park for Doncaster Rovers four years ago.
But the Southsea lad put those issues behind him, as Rovers stunned Championship Middlesbrough in a 4-0 rout at the Riverside last night.
And Close was chief architect of Boro’s downfall, as he got on the scoresheet with the opening goal and went on to produce a display touted as a ‘masterclass’ by our sister title the Doncaster Free Press.
Rob Edwards made just two changes from their weekend win over Swansea, with Doncaster boss Grant McCann switching up his entire starting XI.
Yet it was the visitors who were rampant with Close bagging in the 11th minute and dominating proceedings, as he showcased the class he showed as he emerged through the Fratton ranks.
The 29-year-old registered the most touches of any Doncaster player, most key passes (three) and made more tackles (four) than any other player on display.
That saw the former Priory School student earn the plaudits of McCann on his first outing for his team since last January, after spending the second half of last term on loan with Eastleigh in the National League.
McCann told the Doncaster Free Press: ‘He's a really good player, Ben. We see it every single day.
‘I was quite similar to Closey when I was a player to be honest. I wasn't one that wanted to get involved in the scraps and the second balls. I was more of a footballer and I wanted to play so he reminds me a bit of me.
‘But the higher you go up the leagues, the more time that you actually get on the ball because they give you that bit more respect. Ben was really good tonight and I'm delighted he got the goal and he deserved that because he's been great pre-season.’
It’s been a difficult time away from Fratton Park for Close, after moving north following 190 appearances and 18 goals at PO4.
The schemer has endured two serious knee issues and time out with a hamstring injury, but still clocked up 94 senior appearances at the Keepmoat Stadium to date.
Close moved up the M27 to Eastleigh on loan at the end of the winter window and made 16 appearances for the Spitfires, as they finished 13th in the table.
Now the former Wimbledon Park Tigers youngster is looking forward again with the League Two champions, as he aims to make a mark in the third tier with the side who’ve started their campaign in impressive fashion with three wins in as many games.