Doncaster Rovers

Wigan Athletic - 0
Doncaster Rovers - 0

Sunday 16th August, 12.30pm.
DW Stadium, Wigan.
Sky Bet League One.

It was a quick turnaround for Paul Dickov’s side following the midweek penalty shoot out victory over Leeds United in the Capital One Cup, however fatigue didn’t seem to be a problem as they started the game strongly.

The away side almost went ahead minutes into the game as Cedric Evina played an optimistic ball forward for Andy Williams. Using his pace brilliantly to beat the defender, he laid the ball back for Harry Forrester who was waiting on the edge of the area. Having to get his shot away quickly, Forrester fired low towards goal missing the post by an inch.

Wigan’s first chance of the game came through a Michael Jacobs free kick 25 yards out. After Chris McCann was brought down by Gary MacKenzie Jacobs stepped up and fired towards goal but his effort clipped the top of the crossbar.

Rovers gained control of the game again and came close to breaking the deadlock when Williams forced Richard O’Donnell into a great save one on one. Captain James Coppinger played a lovely ball through for Williams, one on one with O’Donnell he tried to lift the ball over the Wigan goalkeeper but a great save denied him his second goal in as many games.

O’Donnell was tested again, this time MacKenzie set Forrester up on the edge of the area from a corner. Hitting it on the volley Forrester thought he’d scored but for a great reflex save.

Just before half time the away side had a penalty appeal turned down as Coppinger picked the ball up on the right hand side. Cutting inside he looked to have been deliberately blocked on his way through but nothing was given by the referee.

Just minutes later Rovers should have had another penalty. This time Forrester played a perfect ball to the back post for Williams who looked certain to score before being pushed to the ground. Again though, the referee gave nothing.

HALF TIME: Wigan 0-0 Rovers

Doncaster Rovers started the second half as they finished the first and came out energised, within minutes there were appeals for another penalty. Williams and Coppinger linked up well causing problems again. Coppinger looked to be taken down for the second time but again nothing was given.

Shortly after Rovers threatened again. This time from a Taylor-Sinclair corner which found MacKenzie at the back post. With O’Donnell beaten MacKenzie could only watch as his looping header came off the under side of the cross bar.

In a game that was all Rovers, the home side had a penalty appeal of their own turned down as Max Power picked up the ball in midfield before driving into the box. Going down under the challenge of Andy Butler play went on and the score remained 0-0.

Rovers tried and tried to find a winner and the late stages of the game were played solely in the Wigan half. Cedric Evina was inches away from connecting with a Forrester cross that would have been a certain goal but it wasn’t to be for the South Yorkshire men and the game ended a draw with the sides sharing the spoils.


Team Lineups-
Wigan: O’Donnell, James, Perkins, Power, McCann (Murray 53’), Grigg, Jacobs, Morgan (c), Junior (Coulthirst 53’), Barnett, Kenny

Subs not used: Jaaskelainen, Daniels, Davies, Flores, McNaughton,

Rovers: Stuckmann, McCullough, Butler, MacKenzie, Taylor-Sinclair, Evina, Wellens, Middleton, Forrester, Coppinger (c), Williams (Main 78’)

Subs not used: Marosi, Lund, Jones, Mandeville, P.McKay, Whitehouse

Attendance: 8,813 (924 away)