November 29, 2008

Watford 1 Rovers 1

It took new signing Steve Brooker just six minutes to make his mark in a Doncaster Rovers shirt, scoring Rovers' equaliser shortly after coming on as a 64th minute substitute this afternoon at Vicarage Road. One worry from the afternoon was that on-loan Shelton Martis was substituted with what appeared to be a hamstring injury - but on a positive side, it could have been even better for Rovers, with James Coppinger having a late shot turned round the post by the Watford goalkeeper.

FA Cup - Rovers away in third round

Doncaster Rovers were handed an away tie in the Third Round of the FA Cup at Morecambe or Cheltenham Town in the draw made this afternoon. Whilst it may not be the glamorous tie that some may have hoped for, it should give Rovers a reasonable opportunity of reaching the fourth round!
The third round ties are due to be played on the first weekend of January.
The whole draw for the Third Round of the FA Cup can be accessed by clicking on the logo to the left.

November 30, 2008

Goals review

In a shorter review than usual, we begin our review of former Rovers players scoring goals yesterday in the Welsh Premier League, where Gareth Owen set Rhyl on the way to a 7-1 demolition of Welshpool Town with his fourth minute goal.
In the Unibond First Division South, Neil Grayson scored a 90th minute equaliser for Glapwell in their 1-1 drawa at Quorn, and in the UniBond First Division North, Andy Hayward scored Garforth Town's second goal in their 2-0 win at Radcliffe Borough.

November 30, 2008

Blundell moves to Accrington

Former Doncaster Rovers striker Gregg Blundell has moved from Darlington to Accrington Stanley on a one month loan. The move, which went through on Thursday's "loan deadline day", has been involved in 16 of Darlington's 18 league games this season, but has only started two games. Blundell would be unlikely to be a first team regular in the next month, so Dave Penney has allowed him to go out on loan to get some first team action, aiming to improve his goal ratio this season of two goals in 21 games.
The move marks a slight gamble by Penney, whose preferred trio of strikers - Foran, Clarke and Hatch - are all on loan at the Quakers from higher league clubs, with the possibility of their recall potentially leaving them short of players up front, with Blundell unable to be recalled during his first month out on loan.

November 29, 2008

Voting results v Nottingham Forest

Skipper Brian Stock emerged as the clear winner of the "Man of the Match" voting for Tuesday evening's home game against Nottingham Forest. A total of nine players received votes, with the leaders being as follows:
1 Brian Stock (42.86%)
2 James Coppinger (17.46%)
3= James O'Connor, Neil Sullivan (9.52% each)
5 James Chambers (7.94%)
Thank you to everyone who voted. The voting for the away game at Watford is now open.

November 29, 2008

Brooker joins on loan

In a bid to solve their goal scoring problems, Doncaster Rovers signed Bristol City striker Steve Brooker on a one-month loan deal on Thursday afternoon. The 27-year old is a proven goal scorer and will hopefully be able to convert some of the chances that have gone begging so far this season, with Rovers currently embrioiled in the battle to escape from relegation.
Rovers were linked with signing Brooker in 2004, but he elected to sign for Bristol City instead - since when he has scored 37 goals in 87 starts for City. Brooker has been allocated the number 32 shirt.
In an interview with Radio Sheffield, Brooker confirmed that the deal was for an intial month as he strives to regain match fitness after only playing six games prior to his transfer to the Keepmoat Stadium this week. We wish Steve well and hope that the signing proves to be inspired!

November 27, 2008

Youth team cup match

Doncaster Rovers' youth team will face Bolton Wanderers in the third round of the FA Youth Cup on Friday. The match is to be played at teh Reebok Stadium, with admission prices being £3 for adults and £1 for all concessions.

November 27, 2008

Rovers in loan search

The deadline for loan signings closes tonight, with Rovers still hoping to boost their squad with the signing of a new striker. Tuesday's draw means that Rovers have scored just three goals at home so far this season, and Sean O'Driscoll has admitted that adding to his attack is now a priority.
He said: "If we would have had someone who could put the ball in the back of the net from the start of the season then we would be talking about automatic promotion, not relegation. Ninety-nine per cent of what we do has been excellent, but it's difficult to keep going week in week out when you don't get any reward. We are still on the lookout for a striker but we are only as close as we have ever been. There has been talk about players but then it peters out to nothing. I think we have exhausted a lot of possibilities."
The problem seems to be that the players and other clubs are demanding large sums of money to come to Doncaster, something which the Rovers maangement are reluctant to pay.
O'Driscoll continued: "The strikers that you really want - there's absolutely no chance of us getting. It doesn't mean we need to lower our expectations, it just means that we start at that point and then go through the process of trying to get them, because you want to try and improve the squad that you've got. The way that we play football, we need a quality front man."
Assistant Richard O'Kelly put a different slant on the situation, telling the Yorkshire Post: "We are still looking but we will not buy for the sake of it. We have a responsibility to the board and the club's supporters to spend money wisely and unless we feel a player will improve us, we won't do it."

November 27, 2008

Hayter injury update

Striker James Hayter was substituted on Tuesday night after injuring the medial ligament in his knee. He initially required treatement after challenging for a cross, then suffered another collision only a few minutes later which caused his substitution.

November 27, 2008

Supporters Club Travel

The Supporters Club are running coaches to Watford for Saturday's match. They will leave Retford at 9.15am, Harworth Pit Gates 9.20am, Bawtry 9.30am, Rossington Styrrup 9.30am, Hare & Tortoise 9.35am, Doncaster Royal Infirmary 9.45am and the Keepmoat Stadium Car Park 3 at 10.00am.
Fares are: Members - Adults £20, OAPs £18, U16s £16
Non-members - Adults £22, OAPs £20, U16s £18.
To book please phone Len South on 01302 817347 or Paul Mayfield on 01427 880154 or 077404 53066.
The North Branch are also running a coach to the game, leaving the Moorends Hotel at 8am and picking up at The Range York Road (8.30), Sun Inn (8.35), Don Valley (8.40), Woodlands (8.45), Stick and Tape (8.50), Skellow Grange (9am).
To book, please phone Warren Hanson on 01302 337303.

November 27, 2008

Team of the week

November 25, 2008

Rovers 0 Forest 0

Doncaster Rovers and Nottingham Forest fought out a goalless draw, with neither side giving the opposing goalkeeper much to do. James Coppinger cracked a shot against the Forest bar in the first half, and he was denied again in the second half when his shot was fumbled by goalkeeper Lee Camp. It appeared to Rovers players as though the ball had crossed the line, but the goal was not given. Rovers had the possession and pressure for the majority of the match, with the defence looking secure on the occasion that Forest threatened, but again they failed to convert possession into goals.
Other results mean that Rovers remain five points adrift of safety, although today's result means that the unbeaten run extends to three matches.

November 26, 2008

McCormack back in the goals

Former Rovers loan striker Ross McCormack made a scoring return to the Cardiff City side by netting their 41st minute penalty at Reading. The match ended 2-2 to keep both sides in the promotion places. In League Two, Graeme Lee scored for Bradford City in their 3-2 home win over Chesterfield, for who Jack Lester scored in the third minute.

November 26, 2008

Dino returns to Boro

Ex-Rovers striker Dino Maamria has been appointed as head coach at Blue Square Premier club Stevenage Borough, just a week after scoring on his debut for Hyde United, where he had signed as a player. Maamria joins Graham Westley at Stevenage, reuniting their partnership from their time at Rushden & Diamonds. Westley is an admirer of Maamria's abiltity to maintain morale in the dressing room, with his successful period in management last season when he steered Northwich Victoria away from relegation also impressing Westley.
Maamria was sacked by Northwich on 23rd October this year after being put on "gardening leave" in September.

November 26, 2008

Watford match officials

The officials for Saturday's away game at Watford have been confirmed as:
Referee: I G Williamson
Assistant referees: I J Cooper & I J Woodward
Fourth official: P C Martin

November 26, 2008

Youth team win at last!

The Rovers' youth team won their first match of the season on 15th November when they won 2-1 at Bradford City. No details are available of the Rovers team or the goal scorers. However, with four draws to accompany the three points gained at Bradford, Rovers still have Rotherham United and Bradford City below them in the North East Conference table.

November 26, 2008

Lewer back

Former Rovers assistant manager Alan Lewer has been placed in temporary charge at Weymouth following boss John Hollins being placed on "gardening leave". Weymouth are holding an investigation concerning a breach of contract by Hollins, with other reports suggesting that Hollins had spoken to another club without Weymouth having been first contacted.
The investigation is expected to be completed within the next 28 days, with Lewer, previously assistant manager at the club, being placed in charge in the mean time.
Alan Lewer was assistant manager to Steve Wignall during his time at Doncaster Rovers during the Conference years.

November 25, 2008

Same again for tonight?

Doncaster Rovers have no new injury concerns ahead of this evening's crucial home game against Nottingham Forest. Midfielder James Coppinger returned on Saturday after missing a couple of games with a calf injury, and should be involved again tonight. Defender Gareth Roberts, who missed the Burnley game due to illness, is also available again tonight.
Jos van Nieuwstadt and Sean McDaid remain absent due to injury, with Gordon Greer also continuing on the sidelines.
Nottingham Forest will welcome back Lewis McGugan after a three match suspension caused by his dismissal against Derby County on 2nd November. Boss Colin Calderwood has three or four players who suffered knocks in Saturday's defeat against Norwich, but is not letting the identity of those players be known. Skipper Ian Breckin is doubtful with a "dead leg" and faces a late fitness test, but striker Rob Earnshaw will definitely be missing due to a calf strain. Forest will also be missing long term absentees Guy Moussi and Julian Bennett.

November 25, 2008

O'Driscoll pleased with draw

Rovers boss Sean O'Driscoll was pleased with the discipline shown by his side in Saturday's goalless draw at in-form Burnley. The point gained took Rovers off the bottom of the table, with the chance of putting more space between Rovers and Nottingham Forest this evening.
O'Driscoll said: "We started really well and then got a bit anxious because we wanted to come here and try and control possession. I thought that at times we tried to play in the wrong areas but, at the same time, I'm pleased. Burnley are the form team in the league and I thought that we came here without any nerves and tried to play. We took our chances when we could and created one or two opportunities with our possession. We were strong at set-plays and we didn't lose our shape or our discipline."
The draw marked Rovers' first back-to-back points haul since the opening matches of the season.

November 25, 2008

Voting results

The voting for your "Man of the Match" for Saturday's away game at Burnley saw nine players nominated in a fairly close contest, with the most votes going as follows:
1 Brian Stock (25.71%)
2 Matt Mills (22.85%)
3 Shelton Martis (20.0%)
4 Martin Woods (14.48%)
Thank you as always to everyone that took part. The next vote will open following this evening's home game against Nottingham Forest.

November 25, 2008

Rovers after Sharp?

The Daily Mail has reported that Doncaster Rovers may see Sheffield United striker Billy Sharp as the answer to their search for resolving their goal shortage. Sharp, prolific at Scunthorpe, has not held down a regular place at Bramall Lane this season and could be avaialble for a loan move. However, Rovers' search for loan players this season seems to constantly be thwarted by the cost - both in players wages and in signing on fees - that both clubs and players are demanding at this level.
Whilst neither club have commented on Rovers' interest in Sharp, Sean O'Driscoll did say at the weekend: "That's been the story of our season. We've dominated games possession-wise. To stay in this division we need to turn possession into chances, and chances into goals."

November 25, 2008

Gilbert set for loan move

Sheffield Wednesday left back Peter Gilbert, who spent a month on loan at the Keepmoat Stadium a couple of seasons ago, is available for a month-long loan to get some first team match practice after failing to hold down a regular first team place at Hillsborough.
Wednesday boss Brian Laws said: "There are some players that need to go out on loan and I am not talking about the kids. I don't want them away at the Christmas period, I want them back before then. So I will see if I can get one or two out in the next week."
Despite that news, Gilbert may return for this evening's game against Blackpool after recovering from an Achilles tendon injury which meant he was unavailable for their match at the weekend.
Interestingly Laws is out of contract at the end of the season, with one newspaper recently linking him with a future move to Doncaster, although there appears to be little substance to that rumour.

November 24, 2008

Watford ticket info

Tickets for Saturday's away game at Watford are now on sale from the Keepmoat Stadium ticket office. Rovers have received an allocation of 474 tickets - depending on the category of ticket, you should have either one or no stubs attacked to the ticket.
Prices are as follows:
Adults £23 (1 stub on ticket)
Senior Citizens (65+)/16-19 years/Students Under 25 (with NUS card): £13 (no sub on ticket)
16 years & under: £10 (no stub on ticket)
Disabled prices are £15 for adult wheelchair disabled (carer free), £5 for concession wheelchair disabled (carer free)
Watford recommend that tickets are bought in advance as they do not tend to have tickets for sale on the day. If any are available, they will be £25 for adults and £15 for all concessions (bring evidence of eligilibility with you).
Watford have bar code readers at the turnstiles, so please make sure that your tickets are not marked or damaged, as it may affect your successful entry into the ground.

November 24, 2008

Warrington faces long layoff

Former Rovers goalkeeper Andy Warrington faces six weeks on the sidelines for Rotherham United after suffering a shoulder injury at Gillingham recently. The Millers have signed Fulham's former Darlington goalkeeper David Stockdale on a month's loan to cover for Warrington's absence.

November 24, 2008

McIndoe off target

Ex-Rovers winger Michael McIndoe has been replaced as Bristol City's penalty taker after missing two in a row for the club, including last week's 2-2 draw against Nottingham Forest.
Bristol City boss Gary Johnson confirmed: "I never allow players to take another penalty after they have missed twice in succession. It's just too much pressure. We will be making a change. I am gutted for our supporters because they were magnificent today. It feels more like a defeat than a draw. We battled back twice after bad defensive errors cost us two goals and if the penalty had gone in everyone would have been on cloud nine. But we win and lose as a team and no one will be on Michael's back. He is more distraught than the rest of us."

November 24, 2008

Referee for Forest game

The match officials for tomorrow's home game against Nottingham Forest have been announced and will be as follows:
Referee: Mr A. M Penn (West Midlands)
Assistants: D. Ford & D. Unsworth
Fourth Official: A.N Smith

November 24, 2008

McDaid has another operation

We continue our catch-up of events of the last couple of weeks with news that Rovers defender Sean McDaid faces another four months on the sidelines after suffering a relapse in his recovery from a serious knee injury which was sustained in April, which has meant that he has had to have another operation to resolve the problem.
Physio John Dickes explained: "He'll be out for around four months. The good news for Sean is that once he's had the operation and rehab he shouldn't have any further problems with the knee. Sean had worked so hard on his rehab. In fact he's one of the hardest working players I've ever dealt with."

November 22, 2008

Burnley 0 Rovers 0

Doncaster Rovers picked up a valuable away point this afternoon at Burnley, with the home side being reduced to ten men after half an hour of the game following striker Steve Thompson's second bookable offence on Matt Mills. Brian Stock's 25 yard shot was the most notable goal scoring chance of the first half, but Rovers dominated the second half although their goalscoring problems continued as they failed to find a way past keeper Jensen. Rovers' best chance after the break fell to Paul Heffernan, just a few minutes after coming on as a late substitute.
With Nottingham Forest going down to a 2-1 home defeat against Norwich, today's point means that Rovers climb off the bottom of the table, although they are still five points from safety.

November 23, 2008

Goals review

We take an extended review of former Rovers players scoring goals, with three weekends sets of results to look back over.
Looking back to two weeks ago, former Rovers striker Chris Brown scored Preston's first goal in their 2-2 draw at his former club, Norwich City. In Scotland, Colin Cramb scored from the penalty spot as East Stirling were victorious by a 3-2 scoreline at Forfar.
Cramb followed this up with another goal on Wednesday, 12th November, with his 57th minute goal setting East Stirling on the way to a 2-1 home win over Annan Athletic in the Scottish Third Division.
Last weekend, Jonathan Forte marked his debut for Notts County by scoring a first half hat-trick as County won 4-0 at Barnet. One former Rover not celebrating on that day was our former skipper Steve Foster, who was sent off in the 14th minute for Darlington in their 2-0 home win over Lincoln City, which maintained their place at the top of League Two.
In the Conference, Jon-Paul Pittman scored a 61st minute penalty for Crawley Town in their 2-2 home draw against Cambridge United.
Finally on that day, ex-Rovers striker Dino Maamria scored in the 28th minute for new club Hyde United in their 4-4 home draw against Workington Reds.

November 23, 2008

Goals review part 2

Sunday 16th November saw Chris Brown scoring again for Preston as his club emerged victorious by a 3-1 scoreline at Blackpool.
Last Thursday saw Jon-Paul Pittman scored in the 33rd minute for Crawley, but they went down to a 2-1 home defeat against Ebbsfleet United in the Blue Square Premier.
On Friday evening, ex-Rover Neil Roberts scored Rhyl's first goal as they won 3-1 at Airbus UK, a result that sees them top the Welsh Premier Divsion on goal differenece ahead of Llanelli.
At last - we get around to yesterday's results!
In League Two, Jack Lester scored for Chesterfield in their 1-1 home draw against Accrington Stanley. Jonathan Forte scored again for Notts County, although they were on the receiving end of a 6-1 result at Dagenham & Redbridge.
Finally, former Rovers youth team striker Michael Rankine scored for Rushden & Diamonds in their 2-0 home win over Eastbourne Borough in the Blue Square Premier League.

November 23, 2008

Stock wins voting

Rovers midfielder Brian Stock has been named as the Supporters Club's Player of the Month for October, producing a number of great performances that have helped turn around Rovers fortunes, as well as being rumoured to be attracting the attention of Premiership club West Bromwich Albion. Brian was presented with his award prior to last Saturday's home game against Ipswich Town.

November 23, 2008

Atkins lands top job at the Gladiators

Ex-Rovers defender Mark Atkins has been appointed as manager at UniBond Premier Division club Matlock Town, with the news meaning he is back in football management for the first time since leaving Stalybridge Celtic twelve months ago, where he had been John Reid's assistant.
Atkins said: "I'd had enough of being a number two, it was time to recharge my batteries and I had a lot on with the house extension. But I spent the year watching games and going around some Football League clubs, picking up ideas about coaching and training. I was approached a couple of times by clubs and talked to them about jobs – but Matlock is the first one I've gone for myself. It's come along at just the right time for me and I wouldn't have accepted it if I didn't think it was possible to go ahead and be successful at Matlock."
Atkins takes over from caretaker managers Craig Hopkins and ex-Rover Glenn Kirkwood, who withdrew their own bid for the job after failing to turn results around at the club.

November 23, 2008

Neil's stay may be brief

Former Rovers midfielder Neil Redfearn took control of York City for yesterday's game against Crawley Town following the dismissal of former Rovers striker Colin Walker and his assistant Eric Winstanley, the former Rovers youth team manager, last week. However, the Minstermen have already indicated that Redfearn will be in charge for just one match, with a new manager due to be unveiled on Monday.
Redfearn has been acting as York's youth team boss since arriving at the club earlier this season.
Former York boss Denis Smith has denied that he will be returning to the club, although other names rumoured to be in the frame are former Farsley Celtic and Port Vale chief Lee Sinnott, sacked Grimsby Town boss Alan Buckley and current Harrogate Town manager Neil Aspin.

November 22, 2008

Apologies

We would like to apologise for the fewer than usual updates of this site over the last two weeks. The usual daily updates will commence on Sunday, with a number of news items from recent days enabling you to be brought up to date.

November 21, 2008

Burnley team news

For tomorrow's game at Turf Moor against in form Burnley,Rovers have been able to add James Coppinger,Gareth Roberts and Adam Lockwood to the squad after they all played in the mid week behind closed doors game against Scunthorpe. Sean O'Driscoll has hinted that he will make changes for the game possibly in formation, although last week's 3-5-2 worked very well. John Spicer who impressed as a substitute against Ipswich will be hoping for a start against one of his former clubs.

November 21, 2008

Wilson joins Tranmere

Rovers midfielder Mark Wilson has joined League One Tranmere on a month's loan. Wilson has started seven league games this season, but the return to fitness of Richie Wellens and the impressive form of Brian Stock, Martin Woods and John Spicer has seen him unable to get on the bench. Sean O'Driscoll expects him to return for the busy Christmans period of games.

November 21, 2008

Redfearn replaces Walker

York City have dismissed their manager, former Rovers striker Colin Walker. He has been replaced by Neil Redfearn who had been acting as thier youth team coach.

November 16, 2008

A victory at last

Rovers managed a victory yesterday at the Keepmoat Stadium against high flying Ipswich Town. It is hoped that it starts a change in fortunes for Rovers as it was not one of the best performances of the season, but it shows that when luck is on their side Rovers are as good as anyside in the division. The only goal of the game was scored by on loan defender Shelton Martis following a Brian Stock header to the edge of the box that was headed back into the danger area by Matt Mills enabling Martis to head home from close range. The game saw a first league start of the season for striker Paul Heffernan who appeared to be brought down everytime he had the ball at his feet.His performance was certainly good enough to keep him in the startig line up at Burnley next week.Rovers used a 3-5-2 formation for the first 70 minutes of the game, changing to a 4-4-2 when Sam Hird was replaced by the impressive John Spicer.

November 16, 2008

Stock interests West Brom

The Daily Star Sunday has reported today that West Bromwich Albion are interested in signing Rovers Welsh midfielder Brian Stock. Despite Rovers poor run of late, Stock has proved this season that he is very capable at Championship level and capable of playing higher. Neither club has made any statement on the interest.

November 16, 2008

Former players amongst the goals

On his debut for Notts County on loan from Scunthorpe, striker Johnathon Forte scored a hat-trick at Barnet. In today's games Chris Brown scored twice for Preston at Blackpool and Richard Offiong scored Hamilton's goal in their defeat to Celtic in the SPL. Mike Newell got his first win as Grimsbly manager at Bury.