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”
Winning promotions usually comes down to winning closely-fought matches where grit and determination trumps flair. This was a case in point. There wasn’t a lot between Rovers and struggling County, but it was Rovers who found enough to take three vital points. Continue reading “Notts County 0-1 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”
Cold, wet, miserable day out in the arse end of the country; by ‘eck this had better be a good game I thought to myself on the way to the ground, my mood momentarily lifted by an outstanding pasty out the back of a van. Continue reading “Plymouth Argyle 2-0 Doncaster Rovers; 250 word match report”
Remind me never again to use the word ‘comfortable’ in a half-time update regarding Rovers. Three goals to the good with Stevenage having threatened only once, what could possibly go wrong? Continue reading “Stevenage 3-4 Doncaster Rovers; 250 word match report”
Though I don’t get to as many home Rovers games as I’d like; selling fanzines before the game helps give a good barometer of the likely outcome. The doom and desperation of last season has been replaced with a happy assuredness. Leyton Orient were there for the taking. Continue reading “Doncaster Rovers 3-1 Leyton Orient: 250 word match report”
This game may not have been of the highest quality but it contained more drama than a whole series of Game of Thrones. Continue reading “Doncaster Rovers 2-1 Hartlepool United; 250 word match report”
On the way to Portsmouth last month, a mate joked that we only really make these trips to get tinned up in a new city, the actual football is the worst part. And if there was ever a game to validate that statement it was today’s clash with Exeter. Continue reading “Exeter City 1-3 Doncaster Rovers; 250 word match report”
Rovers, perhaps, demonstrated the extent of their ambition in the FA cup with only three players from the previous week keeping their place, but while it was a welcome relief to see names like Craig Alcock and Marko Marosi back on the teamsheet, the players’ unfamiliarity with each other was all too apparent. Continue reading “Oldham Athletic 2-1 Doncaster Rovers; 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.
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