Yep, prepare to brace yourselves accordingly, popular STAND fanzine is back once again with the ill behaviour, with the ill behaviour. Issue 84 of the almost-award winning fanzine goes on sale ahead of this Saturday’s Rovers match.
It’s tempting to focus on another bizarre Trevor Kettle performance – epitomised by his second half decision to stop play mid-Rovers attack, wait two minutes, then award a dropball – but it would be unjust to let him overshadow what was actually an enthralling contest. Continue reading “Doncaster Rovers 3-2 Barnet: 250 word match report”
After recording the first popular STAND podcast just two days before this game it was inevitable that all my observations about Rovers’ start to the season would be proved completely inaccurate within 48 hours. Continue reading “Portsmouth 1-2 Doncaster Rovers: 250 word match report”
So, you’ve read popular STAND fanzine. You’ve seen our finely tuned and edited thoughts set out on a page, but, you’ve probably never asked yourself, what do these people sound like? Continue reading “podular STAND podcast: the first episode”
It was a night when the emerging themes of the season were repeated. Missed penalties; magnificent James Coppinger and shaky defence when under pressure. Carlisle are a good side and it is no surprise they remain undefeated. Well organised at the back, solid going forward and using the full width of the pitch. Continue reading “Doncaster Rovers 2-2 Carlisle United: 250 word match report”
Rovers flew out of the traps at the living Beamish Museum football exhibit that is Luton Town’s Kenilworth Road home. John Marquis missed a sitter of a header three minutes in, moments before effecting harrying from Donny’s front five saw an attempted clearance ricochet across the area for Andy Williams to head onto the crossbar. Marquis then did find the net, only to be denied by the assistant referee’s flag, before finally the inevitable was delivered by James Coppinger, smashing the ball home from a tight angle in front of the travelling fans. Continue reading “Luton Town 3-1 Doncaster Rovers: 250 word match report”
In his 13 years at Rovers there have been many superlatives written in reference to James Coppinger, but even by his own standards, this season he has been a class above. Continue reading “Doncaster Rovers 2-0 Newport County: 250 word match report”
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.
Cambridge, Cheltenham, Yeovil, Mansfield. Four matches, four wins. Rovers headed to Crewe hoping to make it five successive wins for the first time since 2006. Trips to Gresty Road are never simple for Rovers, as exemplified last season when the fixture left relegation as a dead cert. Continue reading “Crewe Alexandra 2-1 Doncaster Rovers: 250 word match report”
‘Past his sell-by date’ and ‘living off his reputation for far too long;’ just a couple of early season observations of James Coppinger that were blown out the water against Yeovil. On his 498th appearance the club captain delivered a vintage performance to spur Rovers on to a third successive win. Continue reading “Doncaster Rovers 4-1 Yeovil Town: 250 word match report”
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