Oldham 2-2 Rovers
Sportsdirect.com Park (Boundary Park), Oldham.
Saturday 10th January 2015
Sky Bet League One
Paul Dickov’s side were looking to start the New Year with a positive result, continuing the form shown over the festive period in their first league fixture of the year away to Oldham Athletic.
The visitors had a good spell of possession early on but it was the host’s first corner on 6 minutes that created a chance for former Rover Forte to head over the bar from a deep position.
Five minutes later and Rovers created their fist chance of the game Stevens running into the box pulled the ball back to Bennett who drags his snapshot wide of Rachunka’s goal. Shortly followed by a long-range effort by Wellens on 13 minutes, the windy conditions helped his shot dip and rattle the top of the Latics crossbar.
The Latics broke the deadlock on 23 minutes, Butler lost possession out of position allowing Forte to set up IBEHRE in the area who smashed the ball past Sam Johnstone to give the hosts the lead. Rovers responded instantly with a long-range effort from Robinson that didn’t trouble Rachubka, who collected easily.
It was just after the half hour mark that Rovers looked most likely to equalise, from a throw in Forrester catches the ball in the sweet spot, his powerful effort flies just wide of the Latics near post.
Neither side created any more clear cut chances as the break approached, an Oldham free kick rebounded off the wall into the path of Wilson, his shot had Johnstone scrambling but went past the base of Rovers post.
The weather conditions deteriorated leading up to half time allowing for Wabara to bend a cross come shot that had Rachunka worried in the air until it went just over the bar.
Half Time - Oldham Athletic 1-0 Doncaster Rovers
A slow start to the half allowed for both sides to assess any tactical changes that were made at half time until the 53minute. Oldham doubled their advantage a corner was met by ELOKOBI who headed downward, Johnstone looked to save the ball on the line and parried the ball into mixer, the linesman raised his flag to signal the ball had crossed the line and the goal was given.
A corner just after the hour mark caused confusion in the Rovers penalty box with the ball falling to Elokobi that unexpectedly rebounded off his legs into the six yard area, Tyson was in a good position to get a good clearance.
The Latics confidence seemed to constantly build, some nice play on 70 minutes allowed a ball to be played across the 18 yard area, Winchester had a little time to try and bend a shot inside the post. Johnstone could only watch the ball drift past his upright.
The second half burst into life on 74 minutes, Mills went into a challenge with Wabara, the former Rovers man appeared to have two feet off the ground and after consulting his assistants the referee showed the Latics defender the red card.
Rover looked to capitalise on the man advantage, on 77 minutes a long ball looked to be collected by Rachubka but under pressure from Tyson drops the ball and TYSON scrambled the ball into the back of the net whilst on the floor.
Late into the game and some nice play on the right hand side of the Rovers midfield allowed the ball to be played square to the on running Keegan, he hit it first time but straight at Rachubka.
Into five minutes stoppage time Rovers mounted an attack down the right hand side, the ball found COPPINGER just inside the 18 yard area who turned and hit a low shot to equalise two minutes into added time.
The referee blew the full time whistle shortly after ending a dramatic second half that saw Rovers earn a deserved point at the death to take back to Yorkshire.
Full Time - Oldham 2-2 Doncaster Rovers
Team details -
Rovers: Johnstone, Wabara, Butler, McCullough, Stevens, Wellens, Keegan, Bennett (Tyson,59), Forrester, Coppinger (c), Robinson (Main,59).
Subs not used – Marosi, McCombe, Wakefield, De Val, Middleton.
Cautions – Bennett, Tyson, Keegan.
Oldham: Rachubka, Mills, Elokobi, Kelly ©, Jones, Philliskirk, Forte (Morgan-Smith, 81), Winchester (Mellor,77), B.Wilson, Ibehre, J.Wilson.
Subs not used – Brown, Dieng, Dayton, Poleon, Coleman,
Cautions –
Sent Off – Mills
Attendance – 4181 (610 Away)