Honours even in South Yorkshire clash.
Rovers 2 (De Val, Bennett)Wednesday 2 (Nuhiu, Antonio)
27th July 2014
Keepmoat Stadium
Doncaster Rovers and Sheffield Wednesday earned a share of the spoils in an open pre-season friendly at the Keepmoat Stadium.
Goals from Marc De Val and Kyle Bennett salvaged some local pride for Paul Dickov’s side, who were 2-0 down at one stage to their Championship opponents.
Chances were at a premium in the first half, but Rovers trialist Nathan Tyson did get an opportunity within five minutes however only found the side netting after rounding the ‘keeper.
Antonio saw his header loop over the bar before he turned provider for giant Austrian centre forward Atdhe Nuhui to head home, just short of half time.
Wednesday continued their ruthlessness in front of goal just after the break too when Michail Antonio slammed past Williams after Jacques Maghoma had robbed Scott Brown of the ball.
De Val, on 51 minutes, provided the perfect tonic for Rovers to spring in to life and begin their fightback when he prodded past former Rover Chris Kirkland.
After Bennett was fouled just left of centre, the impressive winger dusted himself down and punished the Owls for their ill discipline by curling home the free kick past a flat-footed Kirkland in text book fashion.
Rovers only made one substitution in the entirety of the game – De Val replacing Paul Keegan – as the starting eleven increased their fitness levels ahead of the new season, just thirteen days away.
Tyson, in particular, was full of endeavour and running and his pace, combined with the entrepreneurship of Bennett, Harry Forrester and Theo Robinson kept the game alive until the death.
Chris Maguire poked at Ben Williams late on in a goalmouth scramble and Bennett had another sighter that went just over.
In the end, it was another promising performance from Rovers in their penultimate game before the start of the 2014/15 season.
Doncaster – Williams, Brown, Wakefield, McCullough, Evina, Bennett, Keegan (De Val), Furman, Forrester, Tyson, Robinson.
Sheffield Wednesday – Kirkland, Palmer, Helan, Coke, Zayatte, Kelhar, Antonio, Lee, Nuhiu, Lavery, Maghoma.
Loovens, Madine, McCabe, Maguire, Hutchinson, Mattock all featured in the second half.