All the build up to Saturday's clash at Huish Park.
Two long away trips for Paul Dickov’s squad in a week kick off this weekend with the journey to Huish Park, Yeovil as Rovers look to inflict defeat on the Glovers who currently prop up the Championship table. Victory could see Rovers move nine points clear of the relegation zone with Charlton currently occupying 22nd spot and Yeovil a further two points behind the Addicks.
Previous Encounter
Almost 12 years ago Rovers travelled south to Somerset to face Yeovil with both sides chasing promotion from the Conference, the hosts topped the table but Rovers were hot on their heels in second place and fresh from a win over Forest Green Rovers three days earlier. The Glovers were buoyant after a five nil victory away at Telford and the pundits were right to see this as a crucial game even though it was only October.
Over 6,000 people crammed into Huish Park and it was the travelling Rovers contingent who were to be heard the loudest within minutes of the kick off. Danny Hudson, fresh from signing on loan from South Yorkshire neighbours Rotherham, made the perfect start to his debut. He picked the ball up in a central position before bursting forward and slamming home with little more than a minute on the clock, in fact it may have been under a minute but by the time the celebrations had become a little subdued the game restarted after a couple of minutes. The goal stunned the home side and their fans who had been in expectant mood before the kick off after they had seen their side score an impressive 23 goals in their last six outings.
However, they did get their act together and with 15 minutes on the clock the scores were level, and it was a strike that even the Rover’s supporters could struggle to appreciate the quality of. Gavin Williams picked up the ball from Adam Lockwood’s pass and it appeared there was little on for Williams but he lashed an unstoppable drive towards the top corner and it went in off the woodwork.
Justin Jackson looked to get Rovers back in front after jinking his way past Lockwood on the left, his cross was an inviting one and Hudson and Paul Barnes looked to get on the end of it but to the amazement of the Rovers forward line and the travelling supporters, somehow, Colin Pluck managed to hack the ball clear with the ball seemingly destined to go into the net. It had been an end to end first half which left the supporters breathless at the half time break but keen for the restart.
Yeovil came out for the second half a new side, their defence seemed to have took heart from their manager’s team talk and took things out onto the field giving the whole side a lift. In fact the home side were in the ascendency for much of the second period but it was Rovers’ turn to deny the hosts despite the increasing pressure.
Andy Warrington was the busier of the ‘keepers but he was equal to almost everything that was thrown his way, he first denied Terry Skiverton before a combination of he and the defence blocked Williams’ goalbound effort, it fell to Andy Lindegaard but the youngster spurned the chance, thankfully.
Rovers almost nicked all three points with just over ten minutes to go when Skiverton almost conceded an own goal, following a well worked Rovers corner but Jon Sheffield had his wits about him to save the Yeovil defender’s blushes.
A very good point for Rovers who were to of course follow the Glovers back into the Football League at the end of the season after the memorable victory over Dagenham and Redbridge in the play off final.
Stats V Yeovil (A)
Rovers will be looking to inflict only the third defeat on Yeovil on the Glovers on their own patch, but hope springs eternal with recent form and the fact that there has only been three occasions in the past when Rovers have failed to score in Somerset.
If Rovers do net the first goal, the omens will be good for at least a point to travel home with as in the last 12 games the side that has scored first between the sides has at least gained a draw.
Should Rovers take all three points it will be the first double over the Glovers in the history of games played between the two sides.
Sky Bet
Football League Sponsors Sky Bet have Doncaster Rovers at to record a victory at Huish Park.
Yeovil Town 5/4
Draw 23/10
Doncaster Rovers 11/5
To open an account with Sky Bet CLICK HERE
* Odds subject to change, correct as of 14/02/14
Coverage
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