Rovers face Chorley in an Emirates FA Cup first round replay at the Keepmoat Stadium on Tuesday night following the 2-2 draw back at Victory Park on Sunday November 11.
Rovers will be looking to make it back-to-back wins following Saturday’s 2-1 victory over AFC Wimbledon, with captain Tommy Rowe marking his return from injury with the winner four minutes from time.
Chorley will be looking for another win of their own following a 4-0 win away at Kidderminster Harriers at the weekend, a result that keeps them pushing towards the top of the National League North.
Brief history of Chorley FC
Chorley play at the 4,300-capacity Victory Park stadium, which has been their home since 1920.
Their nickname is the Magpies, being known by that name since the 1890s due to their distinctively black and white striped shirts.
Founded in 1875 originally as a rugby union club, Chorley became a football club in 1883. Chorley currently lie top of the National League North, having made it to the sixth tier of English football back in 2014. A great start to the season for the Magpies saw them go unbeaten in their opening 12 league games, leaving them with 30 points from their opening 15 games.
Chorley made it to the first round of this year’s FA Cup following wins in the qualifying rounds over Leek Town and Peterborough Sports, before their fourth qualifying round win at home to Barrow, winning 3-2 at Victory Park.
Who’s the gaffer?
Jamie Vermiglio is the man in charge of the Magpies, having taken charge over the summer following the departure of former Blackburn striker Matt Jansen.
Vermiglio has a long-standing connection with the Magpies, providing them with his services for well over a decade prior to being handed the top job, being both a player and a coach for Chorley.
The 36-year-old former midfielder has taken charge of 20 games for Chorley, winning 13, drawing four and losing three, giving him a total win percentage of 65 per cent.
Ones to watch
Andy Teague
The club captain has gone on to make over 300 appearances for the Magpies since his arrival in 2011. Teague made his debut for Macclesfield Town, before making temporary switches away from Moss Rose to Tamworth and Hyde United. He joined Lancaster City in 2008 where he would spend three years, before his move to Victory Park. Teague has gone on to be one of Chorley’s most influential players from the back in recent seasons, helping them to the Northern Premier League title in 2014. Recently, Teague was voted as the fourth best player ever to grace the Northern Premier League, with Jamie Vardy taking the number one spot.
Dale Whitham
The midfield man is another long-serving member of the Chorley squad having made the move to Victory Park in 2010. Whitham counts Manchester United amongst his former clubs, having been with the Red Devils during his early days, before signing with Maine Road FC and Leigh Genesis. Whitham has gone on to make over 350 appearances in a black-and-white shirt, and he has been described as bringing a touch of elegance to the middle of the park with his technical ability and range of passing.
Stephen Jordan
The experienced defender brings Premier League experience to the Magpies’ backline following time with Manchester City and Burnley earlier on in his career. Jordan made his first team debut for the Citizens in the Premier League against Bolton Wanderers in April 2003, going on to make over 50 appearances for City. He helped Burnley to promotion to the top flight via the Championship play-offs. Following time with Sheffield United, Rochdale and Dunfermline Atheltic, he joined Fleetwood Town in July 2013, spending three years with the Cod Army before his switch to Victory Park.
Who’s the ref?
Darren Drysdale will be the man in the middle when the two sides meet on Tuesday evening. He has taken charge of 16 games this season, dishing out 58 yellow cards and brandishing just one red card.
He has already officiated one Rovers game this campaign, taking charge of the 0-0 draw with Shrewsbury Town at the Keepmoat Stadium back in August.
He will be joined by assistant referees Mark Cunliffe and Wade Smith, with Garreth Rhodes being named as the fourth official.
Last time out
Remembrance Sunday this year saw the two teams do battle at the aptly named Victory Park, with the Magpies taking the lead just over a minute into the game before Herbie Kane drew Rovers level. Courtney Meppen-Walter struck on the stroke of half-time to put Chorley on the edge of a famous cup upset, before Kane’s stunner 13 minutes from time helped Rovers to grab a replay.
The winners of the tie between Rovers and Chorley will travel to the winners of the replay between Charlton Athletic and Mansfield Town over the weekend of November 1/2.
Tickets for Tuesday night’s Emirates FA Cup first round replay against Chorley are still available via the Club Doncaster Box Office. Purchase yours now by either visiting in-store at the Keepmoat Stadium, by calling on 01302 762576, or online at tickets.clubdoncaster.co.uk.