Doncaster Rovers

The August 21st fixture ended in a 2-1 comeback win for Rovers with goals from Kyle Bennett and a late effort from Chris Brown and Rovers will be eager to come away with a similar outcome as they continue to cement their position in the automatic promotion places.

Bury meanwhile sit uncomfortably in the relegation zone, knowing that home wins will be vital having not won in 12 games in all competitions; recording their last home victory at Gigg Lane in the league as far back as November 10th. 

Rovers have been in scintillating form on the road and are currently breaking records with every away fixture which now stands at 12 games unbeaten in the league and three wins in a row away, the best away record in the league. Also unbeaten in 2013, Rovers haven’t lost in six games dating back to Boxing Day and have the best form in the league home or away.

Bury meanwhile are winless this year but have picked up two draws on the road having had two postponements in January. Form in general has been patchy for the club who lie 22nd in the league and they will be hoping to convert more one point outcomes into three after drawing 4 of the last 6 games in the league.  Unsurprisingly Bury hold the 21st best home record in the league and desperately need to snap a streak of no wins in nine games in the league to climb out of relegation. 

Saturday is Bryan Flynn’s third game in charge and second since being named officially as manager to the end of the season. His Rovers side are now 6 points clear of third placed Swindon and remain level with league leaders Tranmere Rovers who they are aiming to usurp this Saturday. Bury currently lying 22nd are three points adrift of Colchester United in 20th despite a better goal difference.

Saturday will be the 59th fixture between the two clubs, who before this season’s meeting at the Keepmoat hadn’t met for 8 seasons when both teams played in England’s fourth tier in the 03/04 season. Rovers completed the double with two 3-1 wins and played in a higher division to Bury in the prevailing years before their relegation in 2012. 

Despite maintaining a recent authority in matchups against Bury, over the 58 fixtures Bury have won half of the games played dating back the 1930’s with 18 Rovers wins and 11 draws in the long history of games involving the two clubs. The majority of fixtures concerning the teams came in the 1950’s where the sides met 14 times in the former second division and twice in the third division, but have met in the 70’s, 80’s and 90’s decades as the two clubs football league existence followed a similar path up to the 21st century and Rovers ascent up the football league.

Relatively new to League One after promotion in 2011, Bury enjoyed a stabilising first season finishing 14th but have since had a change of manager after Crawley Town acquired the services of Richie Barker and caretaker manager Peter Shirtliff’s reign came to an end after a slow start to the season. Kevin Blackwell took over at the end of September last year and has continued the fight to retain Bury’s League One status. 

In August 2005 Bury became first club to score 1000 goals in every division of English Football. 

Result – 

Doncaster Rovers - 2 (Bennett 36 mins, Brown 84 mins) 

Bury - 1 (Skarz 4 mins)

 

Rovers – Gary Woods, Paul Quinn, Jamie McCombe, Rob Jones, Tommy Spurr, David Cotterill, David Syers, Martin Woods, Kyle Bennett, Billy Paynter, Chris Brown

(Subs) - James Harper (Woods 77 mins), James Coppinger (Brown 87 mins), James Husband, Robbie Blake, Neil Sullivan

Bury – Trevor Carson, Andrai Jones, Adam Lockwood, Mark Hughes, Joe Skarz, David Worrall, Mark Carrington, Steven Schumacher, Peter Sweeney, Andy Bishop, Mark Cullen,

(Subs) – Craig Jones (Worrall 16 mins), Lenell John-Lewis (Bishop 64 mins), Marcus Marshall (Cullen 69 mins), Phil Picken, Lateef Ellford-Alliyu, Max Harrop, Christian Dibble

Sent Off – Schumacher (68 mins)

Iain Hume looks set to miss out again this weekend; however manager Brian Flynn has the boost of Billy Paynter being available once again after serving a three match ban.

Martin Woods is in contention after he played 50 minutes against Manchester United on Monday.

A dry and fine day expected after a frosty start. Plenty of sunshine developing across the region. Feeling cold, especially in the keen northerly wind.

No scheduled roadworks

The supporter ‘club at the ground admits small numbers of visiting fans on payment of a small fee.

Several pubs on Manchester Road have been recommended by away fans the favourite amongst these appears to be the Swan and Cemetery.