Since sealing promotion little under a month ago, Rovers grip on the title had slipped putting them in second place heading in to the final day. Continue reading “Hartlepool United 2-1 Doncaster Rovers; 250 word match report”
With this game rescheduled due to some rugby match or other taking place Saturday, playing on a Friday night in South Wales was never going to be an easy game for Rovers – and it was a task made even harder by a pitch not even fit for the oval ball game. Continue reading “Newport County 0-0 Doncaster Rovers; 250 word match report”
Back to back wins either side of Christmas had Rovers at the top of the tree prior to the short trip to Mansfield. Continue reading “Mansfield Town 1-1 Doncaster Rovers; 250 word match report”
After a disappointing defeat at Plymouth, Rovers had to get back to winning ways against Grimsby Town, though they faced the Mariners without captain James Coppinger after his late red card in the Devon defeat. Continue reading “Doncaster Rovers 1-0 Grimsby Town; 250 word match report”
This was more a case of a poor donkey ride rather than Rovers being at the races in an awful performance at Blackpool.
The game had started as bright as the town’s illuminations for the away team, Andy Taylor putting into his own net inside 50 seconds. However, from there on in, it went downhill, and downhill quickly at that.
Poor defensive errors have been Rovers downfall this season and were evident in the first Blackpool goal; the defence opening up for Dan Potts to equalise. Then a comical mix of poor defending, from Cedric Evina and Harry Middleton in particular, allowed Kelvin Mellor to loop the ball into the net for 2-1.
Two goals in the first three minutes of the second half duly put the game to bed; a free-kick laid off for Potts to smash in his second of the day, before a back pass was intercepted by Kyle Vassell to slot home.
Rovers finally returned from the Pleasure Beach on 66 minutes when Tommy Rowe twisted and turned to earn a penalty which he calmly slotted home.
And, with Rovers showing a little bit more attacking intent, the game was briefly kicked in to life. However, it was too little too late, and it with too much for Rovers to claw back do deny Blackpool the win.
Late on Rovers won another penalty, but Rowe missed this one; summing up just how poor Rovers’ day had really been.
250 words are more than is truly needed when you could sum James Coppinger up in just one, Legend. Everything about this game went to script, but in reality there was no need for a script at all.
From start to finish Coppinger ran the show, his corner led to the opener – Andy Butler turning the ball home – shortly followed by John Marquis dancing around the Morecambe defence for 2-0. Even Cole Stockton’s well taken volley before half-time couldn’t steal the limelight.
After the break it was all Coppinger. A classic run down the right, cutting and weaving past player after player, didn’t quite have the glorious end product for Coppinger, but Marquis was more than happy to tap in for 3-1.
Matty Blair went one better as he made his own terrorising run down the Rovers right, before poking home the fourth goal.
But on his 500th game, there was only one way the game would end. Coppinger letting fly to find the bottom corner from 25 yards to the delight of the travelling support.
There have been some special moments over the last 12 years, but few will have topped that one. There will never be another player like Coppinger at Rovers, or any club. He’s the last of a special breed of player and one that epitomises everything Doncaster Rovers. It’s for this that he is a hero of mine, and of many others.
As I said, there really was no need for a script.
Mission Impossible? The Great Escape? Rovers never do it easy, and this season appears no different. This was a must win game, anything less would’ve probably signalled the end to Rovers’ League One stay. Continue reading “Doncaster Rovers 2-0 Coventry City: 250 word match report”
A second South Yorkshire derby in the space of the week saw out of form Rovers travel to Oakwell to face in-form Barnsley. Continue reading “Barnsley 1-0 Doncaster Rovers; 250 word match report”
Port Vale arrived at the Keepmoat looking to see if they could do it on a cold Tuesday night in Doncaster. Within five minutes Rovers found out they could. Continue reading “Doncaster Rovers 1-2 Port Vale: 250 word match report”
As far as Boxing Day fixtures go, Rovers vs Scunthorpe shaped up to be a late Christmas cracker for the locals. Instead, it was more like the poor joke you get inside. Continue reading “Doncaster Rovers 0-1 Scunthorpe United; 250 word match report”
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