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.
It’s supposedly a mark of a good team, to play badly and still pick up a win. So we must be bloody excellent having somehow scraped a 1-0 win in a match largely controlled by the visitors. Continue reading “Doncaster Rovers 1-0 Colchester United: 250 word match report”
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”
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.
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