Doncaster Rovers produced an excellent display to overcome Scunthorpe United in a pulsating FA Cup tie.
Rovers lined up in a 4-4-2 formation with a midfield diamond, and were lively from the outset deservedly taking the lead 16 minutes in. Scunthorpe goalkeeper Matt Gilks had his clearance charged down by Tommy Rowe who showed composure to take down the ball and slot home.
It was almost 2-0 when Andy Butler met a corner, but John Marquis’s flick wasn’t strong enough to beat Gilks. However, Scunthorpe had their moments; both Paddy Madden and Hakeeb Adelakun fired wide and Duane Holmes saw his fierce drive kicked off the line by Niall Mason.
Scunthorpe started the second half strongly and Ian Lawlor did well to save from Josh Morris. However, after a period when their goal seemed under siege Rovers broke to score a second on 67 minutes. Rodney Kongolo and Alfie Beestin combined well to find Rowe who battled past a couple of defenders and shot low past Gilks.
The visitors sent on three substitutes in an attempt to find a goal and with ten minutes left one of them, Charlie Goode, forced Lawlor to save brilliantly with his feet. Rovers held firm though and rounded off a fine victory in stoppage time; James Coppinger’s perfectly weighted pass found substitute Liam Mandeville who made it 3-0 with an angled drive.
So Rovers completed their first ever FA Cup victory over their Lincolnshire neighbours and go into the hat for round three.
by John Coyle
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