Keepmoat Stadium, Saturday 16th August 2014, 3pm.
League 1 football returns to the Keepmoat Stadium on Saturday when Rovers entertain Port Vale with the hosts top of the table.Paul Dickov’s side, who defeated Yeovil Town 3-0 on the opening day of the season at Huish Park, then followed that up with a solid win over York City in Tuesday’s League Cup tie and will be looking to carry that momentum forward and thrill and expectant home crowd.
Rovers and Vale have not crossed swords since March 2008 in a game at the Keepmoat where Sean O’Driscoll’s play-off bound side defeated their visitors 2-1 thanks to early goals from Paul Heffernan and Mark McCammon. Danny Whitaker reduced the arrears but Rovers held on to keep their top six push very much alive.
It completed a satisfying double over the Valiants for O’Driscoll’s side, having defeated them 3-1 at Vale Park in November the previous year courtesy of Lewis Guy, James Hayters and Richie Wellens’ second half strikes.
The season was to end in despair for Vale, who were relegated as they wound up 24th in the division, contrasting with Rovers’ play-off final win over Leeds United at Wembley.
The tide has turned, however, and Micky Adams brings his charges to his native South Yorkshire off the back of a satisfying draw at home to local rivals Walsall having returned to the division last season.
Team News:
Rovers - Jamie McCombe returned to action on Tuesday and could push for inclusion in the squad but will face competition from Reece Wabara and Rob Jones. Nathan Tyson and Harry Forrester could both feature with the latter scoring two in two games. Paul Keegan is also pushing for a starting spot.
Last meeting:
8th March 2008
Football League One
Doncaster Rovers 2 (Heffernan, 11; McCammon, 19)
Port Vale 1 (Whitaker, 34)
Keepmoat Stadium
Attendance: 8040
Doncaster - N Sullivan, P Green, M Mills, A Lockwood, M Wilson, R Wellens, J Coppinger (S McDaid, 82), B Stock, G Roberts, M McCammon (S Elliott, 67), P Heffernan (G Taylor, 87)
Port Vale - J Anyon, C Herd, G Pilkington, K Pearce, J Talbot (P Edwards, 70), P Harsley, R Hulbert, D Howland (L Rodgers, 77), D Whitaker, M Richards, K Perry.
Head to head (in Doncaster):
Rovers 14 wins
Draws 5
Vale 4 wins
Sky Bet Odds: Rovers 10/11, Draw 12/5, Port Vale 3/1
Join Tom Biltcliffe and Darren Neagle on Rovers Player from 2:45pm.