Ahead of kick-off a Cheltenham fan, free of irony or intoxication, told me the area around the Keepmoat reminded him of California. I didn’t even know they had Beafeater Inns in LA. Continue reading “Doncaster Rovers 2-0 Cheltenham Town; 250 word match report”
On another day this could have been a second successive away victory, but at Broadfield Stadium Rovers found themselves up against a goalkeeper in determined mood. Continue reading “Crawley Town 0-0 Doncaster Rovers; 250 word match report”
A lovely spring afternoon, with punting on the Cam and three screaming emergency vehicles rushing to M&S Foodhall in the market square (apparently they had run out of guacamole!), gave way to a rain-soaked evening, ending with Rovers desperately punting the ball forward as the home team rushed towards their goal. Continue reading “Cambridge United 2-3 Doncaster Rovers; 250 word match report”
On a blustery afternoon at the Keepmoat, Rovers were made to settle for a point for the third successive home game, against a stubborn, physical Stanley. Continue reading “Doncaster Rovers 2-2 Accrington Stanley; 250 word match report”
A goal ten minutes from time by Alfie May, his first in professional football, secured Rovers a valuable point against a rugged Luton Town side.
Rovers showed one change from the team that lost at Carlisle – Andy Butler replacing Joe Wright – and they started well. A searing run from Matty Blair ending with a cross that evaded everyone, then Tommy Rowe cut in from the left with a shot that deflected wide.
However, Luton’s pressing began to take effect and their physical approach disturbed Rovers’ rhythm. In centre-forward Danny Hylton they had a throwback to the old days of bruising No.9s, and referee Darren Deadman’s failure to get to grips with Hylton’s over-robust play was a source of frustration to fans and players alike.
Both sides turned round goalless, but Luton soon went ahead. Niall Mason’s loose clearance reached Isaac Vassell who sent Jordan Cook away on the right and his fierce low drive gave Ian Lawlor no chance.
Worse was to follow when the influential Jordan Houghton was forced off with a nasty looking knee injury. With Rovers struggling to create, Darren Ferguson sent on May and the returning Gary McSheffrey.
The changes paid off on 80 minutes when McSheffrey won a challenge and fed Conor Grant. His pinpoint pass sent May through on goal and he beat Matt Macey with a crisp low shot. McSheffrey might have won it when he fired just over late on, but the point gained keeps Rovers eleven points clear of fourth place.
by John Coyle
Rovers faced a tough trip to Carlisle on a cold Cumbrian evening. Valentine’s night meant we all really should have been somewhere else but ‘love conquers all.’ James Coppinger returned though Andy Butler dropped out for Craig Alcock. Continue reading “Carlisle 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”
For all their off-field problems, Morecambe arrived at the Keepmoat unbeaten in 2017 – as well as unpaid – and any hopes of them capitulating to a relentless Rovers juggernaut soon proved unfounded. Continue reading “Doncaster Rovers 1-1 Morecambe; 250 word match report”
Remember when we feared Yeovil? Bogey team. ‘We always lose to Yeovil’. No more. Four games, four wins. Thirteen goals to one. It’d be lovely to play them every week; that is if they were decidedly nearer and didn’t regularly pitch up at our place in the worst away kits ever conceived. Continue reading “Yeovil Town 0-3 Doncaster Rovers: 250 word match report”
‘You started celebrating that before he hit it,’ said Matt of Conor Grant’s opening goal; driven in low from the edge of the area. He was right. Such has been Rovers’ ruthless effectiveness in recent weeks you just know when it’s coming. Today it happened to be 22 minutes; it could easily have been earlier. Continue reading “Doncaster Rovers 3-1 Crewe Alexandra: 250 word match report”
popular STAND fanzine 