Saturday, August 1, 2009 at the Keepmoat Stadium, Doncaster

Pre-Season Friendly DONCASTER ROVERS 1 Wolverhampton Wanderers 1

Referee - Mr U Rennie (1st half) Mr M Halsey (2nd half)

Attendance - 2,912

Before the game started Mickey Walker, whose Testimonial game this was, was presented to the crowd and the two teams.

There was then a perfectly observed one minutes silence observed in memory of that gentleman of football, Sir Bobby Robson.

The Rovers set the game in motion and got straight into their game but it was the Premier League team who really threatened first after six minutes when a cross from the left was headed only inches over the bar by Hird to give the visitors a corner immediately followed by three more. Minutes later, a strong run by Shiels, a 1-2 with Woods but the left foot shot had no power behind it and was easily handled by Hennessey. A corner to the Wolves came to nothing but five minutes later after good play by the Rovers Spicer hit a 30yarder about a foot over the bar. At the other end Miljas was even closer to the bar from 25yards. In fact Sullivan must have got a fingertip to it because the Wolves were awarded a corner. Back came the Rovers with Woods putting over a good cross from the left to Shiels 15 yards out. Shiels hit his shot into the ground but the bounce was palmed away by the keeper as Heffernan threatened. Halfway through the first half and Miljas had a low shot saved by Sullivan. On 27 minutes, Jones put over the bar from 15yards after Halford knocked the ball down for him. A couple of minutes later Ward joined the the attack from left back but his tame shot was easily saved by Sullivan. Wolves were enjoying their best period of the game and just past the half hour Miljas hit a 30yarder high and wide. In the 32nd minute, the Rovers got back into the game with a good build-up on the right coming in to Stock in midfield but his through ball for Shiels had just a bit too much pace on it. The home team won their first corner shortly afterwards when it was played to Shiels. His cross to the far post was met by a good header from Hird, which Hennessey had to go down to his right to save. The Rovers were on a run now but Hayter was well over from 18yards. Another corner brought no reward for the Rovers but after 42 minutes a great interception by O'Connor on the Rovers right led him to put Shiels away. His cross had the keeper at full stretch to push out to Spicer on the edge of the penalty area. His goal-bound shot was blocked by a posse of defenders before being cleared. Further good play by the Rovers brought another corner as the whistle went for the break. It had been a good first half with both sides playing good football.

The Rovers made 9 changes for the second half whilst the visitors fielded the same eleven. Play began with the Wolves storming to the attack playing in Berra, who got into the six yard box from the left but Sullivan saved his low shot brilliantly. The Rovers responded with Guy sidefooting a pass just inside the post but seeing Hennessey tipping it away for a corner. On 49minutes came the breakthrough when Clark, for the Rovers got to the right byline, gave the ball to Coppinger, who pulled it back for WILSON to rifle into the net from the edge of the area. Minutes later, Coppinger from the angle of the penalty area on the right sent a left foot shot across the face of the goal and out for a goal kick. Seven minutes later Coppinger repeated the shot, right footed this time, with the same result. Past the hour and Mustapha went down the right before pulling it back for Clark, who hit the side-net. After 64 minutes, a cross from Keogh on the Wolves right was headed out to JARVIS on the left angle of the penalty area. He had time to pick his spot and executed it perfectly into the top far corner for an equalising goal. Three minutes later and Ebanks-Blake was played in on goal and into the left side of the six yards box but his low shot was well saved by Sullivan. The last quarter of the game still produced some good football but few attempts at goal although Smith's first action after taking over from Sullivan was to save a cracking shot from Surman from 15 yards. A good game played in the right spirit.

Teams - ROVERS - 1st Half - Neil Sullivan; James O'Connor, Sam Hird, Byron Webster, James Chambers; John Spicer, Brian Stock, Dean Shiels, Martin Woods; Paul Heffernan, James Hayter

2nd Half - Neil Sullivan (Smith 84mins); Mustapha Dumbaye, Byron Webster (Sam Hird 76mins), Adam Lockwood, Gareth Roberts; James Coppinger, Quinton Fortune, Mark Wilson, Robbie Clark; Lewis Guy, Jon Oster

Wolverhampton Wanderers - Wayne Hennessey; Kevin Foley, Jodie Craddock, Cristophe Berra, Stephen Ward; Matt Jarvis, Karl Henry, David Jones, Greg Halford; Sylvan Ebanks-Blake (79mins), Nenad Miljas

Subs used - David Edwards for Jones 57mins; Andy Keogh for Greg Halford 57mins; George Elokobi for Miljas 66mins; Andy Surman for Ward 66mins;