Hard working Rovers fall short as Scunthorpe edge local derby.
Doncaster - 0Scunthorpe - 1 (Madden 20’)
Saturday 26th December, 2015
Keepmoat Stadium, Doncaster
SkyBet League One
With just one loss in the last 9 matches for Rovers, Darren Ferguson unsurprisingly named the same starting eleven that played at Burton last week.
Mark Robins’ side sat a place below Rovers in the league table with just one point separating the two sides before kick off.
The home side went into the game on a good run of form, having beaten Crewe two weeks ago, before earning a point away at league leaders Burton last week.
It was a slow and scrappy start to the game for both sides. Nathan Tyson had the first chance for Rovers as he brilliantly skipped past three defenders to work his way into the box. Just as he was about to poke the ball home Luke Daniels was quick off his line to make the save.
It was a fairly even first half but it was Scunthorpe who broke the deadlock and took the lead on 20 minutes. Luke Williams played a dangerous ball across the box and Paddy Madden was completely unmarked at the back post to tap in from three yards.
The home side almost drew level through Cedric Evina as he made a lovely run down the left before cutting inside to drive a shot at goal, however his effort hit the side netting.
The game turned very scrappy and although Rovers tried to play football, the visitors made it difficult for them as they sat deep. A chance did fall to Tyson on the stroke of half time however as he got on the end of a low Conor Grant corner. Shooting first time on the turn his shot rattled the side netting.
HALF TIME: Rovers 0-1 Scunthorpe
After a stern word from Darren Ferguson, Rovers started the second half brightly. Paul Keegan and Cameron Stewart were introduced to the game early in the second half and as Rovers applied some pressure Scunthorpe were on the back foot.
Stewart caused problems down the right and was fouled a number of times. Playing a deadly ball across goal, it just needed a touch from a Rovers man but Daniels was able to collect.
As the tackles started to fly in the game intensified. Rovers picked up the pace and continued to drive forward. Evina went close again as more good work from him saw him break away from the defender. Firing a wicked ball across the face of goal everyone was beaten and it just needed a touch.
The home side played more good football and James Coppinger forced Daniels to make a great fingertip save as he hit a volley on the turn at goal.
Rovers frustration grew. Dany N’Guessan was introduced to the game and went close straight away as he cut across his man to get on the end of a pass. Looking to slip it past Daniels he dragged his shot wide.
With four minutes added time to play, Rovers through men forward. Finding space on the left hand side Cameron Stewart cut inside to shoot at goal and with Daniels beaten he could only watch as his shot cannonned back off the cross bar.
It wasn't to be for Rovers and Scunthorpe held on at the end to take all three points.
FULL TIME: Rovers 0-1 Scunthorpe
Team Lineups-
Rovers: Stuckmann, Butler, Evina, Alcock, Taylor-Sinclair, Grant, Coppinger (c), Middleton (Keegan 45’), Tyson (N’Guessan 76’), Williams, Lund (Stewart 53’)
Unused Subs: Marosi, Mandeville, Chaplow, McCullough
Scunthorpe: Daniels, Laird, Mirfin (Goode 69’), Canavan, Williams, Madden, Bishop, Dawson (c) (Ness 61’), King, Rowe, Clarke (Wiseman 85’)
Unused Subs: Van Veen, Henderson, Anyon, Wootton
Cautions: King 37’, Dawson 61', Laird 90'
Attendance: 8,744 (1,238)