A superb second performance sees Rovers thrash Chesterfield.
Rovers -3 (Tyson 62’, Williams 70’ , Stewart 90')Chesterfield - 0
Tuesday 24th November, 2015
Keep moat Stadium, Doncaster
SkyBet League One
It was a quick turnaround for Rovers who were victim to two late goals against Rochdale on Saturday. Despite the weekends’ loss however, Darren Ferguson was looking for his fourth win in five games.
The home side were always in control and it was a convincing victory in the end with second half goals from Nathan Tyson, Andy Williams and Cameron Stewart.
The visitors almost went ahead in the first half when they caught Rovers on the counter. A great run from Lee Novak allowed him to cut the ball back into space for Dan Gardener. Striking at goal from the edge of the area, his shot was just wide of the post.
After some early pressure from Chesterfield, Rovers settled and started to play a nice passing game frustrating Dean Saunders’ men. The home side went close through Andy Williams as he took a shot at goal on the turn, but his effort was over the bar.
Williams went close moments later as a clever free kick from Conor Grant was played short to the striker. Hitting it first time from 14 yards, Williams’ shot was just over the bar.
Despite remaining goalless, Rovers looked well in control and were playing exciting football. Grant continued to control the midfield as Cedric Evina caused problems down the left wing.
Evina almost got the opening goal as he attacked with pace down the left before cutting inside and curling one at goal with his weaker foot. Tommy Lee in the Chesterfield goal watched it clear his crossbar though.
HALF TIME: Rovers 0-0 Chesterfield
It was a very lively start to the second half and Rovers could have been 2-0 up within the first three minutes.
Felipe Mattioni broke down the right beating the defence before crossing low for Williams. Shooting with his left from six yards Lee was rapid off his line to block the shot.
It was Felipe again who rattled the defence. With acres of space down the right he went for the shot rather than squaring the ball to an unmarked Williams in the box.
Nathan Tyson was the next Rovers player to go close as he drove into the box looking to curl one into the corner but a great save from Lee denied him.
On the hour mark Felipe again pressured and won a penalty for the home side as Daniel Jones handled the ball in the area. Nathan Tyson stepped up and saw his spot kick saved by Lee, but he scrambled in the rebound from 3 yards to give Darren Ferguson’s men a deserved lead.
It took just 8 minutes for Rovers to double their lead. As Cedric Evina broke down the left he squared the ball perfectly for Williams who made no mistake in slotting the ball into the bottom corner.
The man in the goals almost doubled his tally as substitute Cameron Stewart squared the ball from a similar position to Evina for the second goal. Finding Williams again this time he dragged his shot just inches wide of the post.
In stoppage time Rovers rounded off a superb performance with a third goal. On the counter attack Cameron Stewart carried the ball from the half way line before calmly finishing past Lee.
Team Lineups-
Rovers: Stuckmann, Butler, Evina, Alcock, Taylor-Sinclair, Grant, Coppinger (c), Middleton, Tyson (Stewart 77’), Williams, Felipe
Unused Subs: Marosi, Whitehouse, Davies, Wellens, J.McKay, Mbuti
Cautions: Coppinger 87'
Chesterfield: Lee, Herd (Banks 63’), Jones, Hird, Morsy (c), Evatt, Gardener (Simons 63’), Ebanks-Blake, O’Shea, Novak (Ariyibi 64’), Wood
Unused Subs: O’Neill, Raglan, Talbot, Cairns
Cautions: Wood 18'
Attendance: 5,521 (633)