Harry Forrester screamer secures all three points for Rovers on derby day.
Rovers- 1 (Forrester- 84)Barnsley- 0
Saturday 17th January, 2015
Keepmoat Stadium
Sky bet League One
There was very little to separate the two teams in the league table heading into this South Yorkshire derby, as Rovers occupied 14th place and Barnsley 16th in the League One table.
Paul Dickov’s newest recruit Stephen Bywater made his debut in goal for Rovers while Harry Forrester dropped to the bench following the midweek defeat at Bristol City.
Rovers looked to take control of the game from the off and almost got the perfect start as James Coppinger found space down the right before cutting the ball back to Theo Robinson in the area. The striker struck a first time shot from 12 yards but fired just wide of Ross Turnbull’s post.
Coppinger looked in the mood for a local derby and more often than not was everywhere on the pitch.
The positive start continued for Rovers. Curtis Main came agonisingly close as he found himself one on one with Turnbull. Looking to find the bottom corner Main could only watch as his shot went inches past the post.
The visitors were appealing for a penalty 15 minutes in as Dale Jennings went down from a Reece Wabara challenge, however the referee thought he went down all too easily and waved for play to continue.
Coppinger was in the thick of the action again as his excellent cross found Main whose first time shot somehow went wide from six yards.
Barnsley’s first shot on target came 40 minutes in as Jennings looked to catch Stephen Bywater off guard, but the experienced goalkeeper saved well to deny the visitors.
With the snow coming down at Keepmoat Stadium, conditions were worsening for both sets of players and the sides went in level at half time.
Half Time score: Rovers 0-0 Barnsley
The deadlock was almost broken when a lovely through ball from Kyle Bennett made it’s way to Coppinger. One on one with Turnbull the Rovers captain looked to slide the ball into the bottom corner, but the former Rovers stopper saved well with his legs.
Harry Forrester and Nathan Tyson’s introduction changed the game and all of a sudden Rovers started to pile on the pressure.
With five minutes to play a moment of brilliance from Forrester put the home side ahead.
The winger picked up the ball on the left after losing his man, before cutting inside and beautifully curling the ball into the top corner. Turnbull at full stretch had no chance.
It was no more than Rovers deserved and tight defending in their own end ensured a clean sheet was kept.
The was late drama as Mason Holgate’s reckless two footed challenge on Richie Wellens gave the referee no choice but to send him off and from there Rovers saw out the game to secure all three points.
Team line ups-
Rovers: Bywater, Stevens, Wabara, Butler, McCullough, Wellens, Keegan, Coppinger (c), Bennett (Forrester- 68’), Main (Tyson- 65’), Robinson (Middleton- 89’)
Subs not used: Marosi, McCombe, Wakefield, De Val
Cautions: Stevens- 35'
Barnsley: Turnbull, Berry, Nyatanga, Hourihane (c), Jennings (Phenix- 64’), M'voto, Smith, Holgate, Lalkovic, Waring (Lita- 72’), Kiwomya.
Subs not used: Scowen, Davies, Digby, Williams, Bailey
Cautions: Nyatanga- 60', Waring- 70', Berry- 79', Holgate (RED)- 90'
Attendance- 9,005
Away- 2,548