We look ahead to Saturday's trip to Elland Road.
A second Yorkshire derby in the space of seven days is the next task facing Rovers, a trip over to West Yorkshire looms as Leeds United await the arrival of Paul Dickov’s squad. After two good performances in the last week, Rovers travel to Elland Road full of optimism and hope to add to the White’s recent woes on the field.
Previous Encounter
In early 2008 Rovers travelled to Leeds to face United on the back of a five game unbeaten run, full of goals and mean in defence. We had scored an impressive eleven goals and conceded just two along with being sat safely in the top four of League One with the hosts some two places lower and in indifferent form, winning two and losing two of the last four games.
The teams came onto the field in front of over 30,000 supporters with a sizeable chunk of them in the red and white of Rovers. It was the first league meeting between the two sides in over fifty years and one which would be memorable for the travelling supporters and players alike.
Straight from the kick off the pace was frenetic with an atmosphere to match, aided in no small part by an early scuffle between Bradley Johnson and Jason Price in the centre circle which referee, Steve Tanner, had to break up. Jermaine Beckford wasn’t happy with Gareth Roberts, the Leeds striker suggesting an off the ball incident but nothing had been noted by the officials.
But Rovers were letting their football do the talking as Leeds struggled to contain the marauding visiting team. Darren Kenton did well to deny James Coppinger a chance as he blocked the goalbound effort before Price hammered a low effort into the side netting. The home goal had lived somewhat of a charmed life as the ball had almost exclusively been in the home half for much of the opening 20 minutes, so it was no surprise when Rovers did take the lead.
Richie Wellens was adjudged to have been fouled just outside the area, Brian Stock took aim and curled a delicious effort past a helpless Casper Ankergren. The goal seemingly awoke the home side who were cursing their former ‘keeper Neil Sullivan as he did well to save from Beckford’s rising volley.
Although there was little in terms of goalmouth incident the game was about just how good Rovers were without the ball, the home side had no answer to the defensive qualities of the visitors as they couldn’t muster a real scoring chance for the remainder of the game. Rovers however almost confirmed their dominance with a second goal at the death but for a good save from Ankergren to deny Coppinger.
Rovers inflicted Leeds to only their second home league defeat of the season to move within one point of second place in the table and in good shape for achieving promotion to the Championship. Which of course came in the shape of another one goal victory against the side from Elland Road.
Sky Bet
Football League Sponsors Sky Bet have Doncaster Rovers at to record a victory at Elland Road.
Leeds United 10/11
Draw 13/5
Doncaster Rovers 11/4
To open an account with Sky Bet CLICK HERE
* Odds subject to change, correct as of 14/03/14
Coverage
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