Rovers return home on Tuesday night when they host Accrington Stanley in Sky Bet League One.
Rovers run of four wins in a row came to an end of Good Friday as they lost 2-0 away at Sunderland, and they will be looking to bounce back immediately to strengthen their grip on the final play-off place.
Accrington on the other hand will also be looking to get back to winning ways following a 3-0 defeat at home to leaders Luton Town on Saturday, with three points vital to keep them away from the bottom four.
Brief history of Accrington Stanley
Accrington play at the 5,057-capacity Wham Stadium, also known as the Crown Ground.
They reformed as Accrington Stanley in 1968 following the collapse of the original club, who were a founder member of the Football League, two years previously.
They returned to the EFL for the first time since their reform in 2006, storming to the Conference title with 91 points, and they reached the third tier for the first time in the club’s history last season following their League Two title win.
Who’s the gaffer?
John Coleman is the man in charge at the Wham Stadium, having been installed as manager there in September 2014 for his second stint at the helm. Coleman previously managed Stanley between 1999 and 2012, guiding them from the Northern Premier League Division One through to what was then the Conference Premier within four years.
He led them to the Conference title in 2006 as Stanley returned to the EFL for the first time since their reformation, and six years later, Coleman would be named as manager of Rochdale.
Spells in the dug-out at both Southport and Irish side Sligo Rovers followed before his Stanley return in September 2014, and across his two stints with the club, he has taken charge of 844 games, winning 346 of those, whilst drawing 211 and losing 287, leaving him with an overall win percentage of 41 per cent.
Ones to watch
Billy Kee
The forward has been one of the EFL’s most prolific goal scorers in recent seasons. Kee began his career with Leicester City, though he would make his professional debut in a loan spell with Stanley in 2009. A permanent move to Torquay United in 2010 would follow, quickly becoming a fan favourite at Plainmoor during his time with the Gulls, also playing for the Northern Ireland under-21 side whilst with Torquay. Kee would then move on to Burton Albion in 2011, spending three years at the Pirelli Stadium before his switch to Scunthorpe United. It would be a permanent return to the Wham Stadium though where Kee would find his feet again, being a part of the side that reached the League Two play-off semi-finals in 2016. Last season would be Kee’s best in professional football, scoring 25 goals as Stanley raced to the League Two title, with Kee also winning the Player of the Year award for the division.
Sean McConville
The attacking midfielder is in his second spell with Stanley following a stint between 2009 and 2011. He was picked up by Accrington following time in non-league with Skelmersdale United, making 76 appearances in the league over his two seasons there before his move to Stockport County. McConville would join Barrow in 2012 enjoying a season in Cumbria, before a season each with Stalybridge Celtic and Chester. McConville would make his return to league football with Stanley in 2015, helping them to the League Two play-off semi-finals in his first season, before scoring 12 goals last season as Stanley won the League Two title in the last campaign. Following last season’s success, McConville was also named in the 2017/18 League Two Team of the Year after his superb form.
Jonny Maxted
The 25-year-old is a product of the Rovers youth academy, having spent a number of years here at the Keepmoat Stadium. Initially starting out in non-league with Collingham and hometown side Tadcaster Albion, Maxted was picked up by Rovers and signed his first professional contract in 2012. He would then spend time on loan at Goole and Gainsborough Trinity, before a permanent move to Hartlepool United. Time with Forest Green Rovers followed, as did a return to Yorkshire with Guiseley, and he played a key part in the Lions run to the second round of the FA Cup in November 2017, with his penalty shoot-out heroics against Accrington then earning him a move to the Wham Stadium the following January. He made his Stanley debut towards the end of last season, keeping a clean sheet in a 1-0 win at home to Notts County.
Who’s the ref?
Sebastian Stocksbridge will be the man in the middle when the two sides meet on Tuesday night, and you can read more about him here.
Last time out
Offrande Zanzala’s 87th-minute winner was the difference when the two sides met back in October, sealing a 1-0 win for Stanley at the Wham Stadium.
The last meeting at the Keepmoat Stadium was back in the 2016/17 League Two season, ending in a thrilling 2-2 draw. Shay McCartan put the visitors in front before goals from Tommy Rowe and John Marquis either side of the break turned the game on its head, but it would be the visitors who had the last laugh, as Jonny Edwards scored nine minutes from time to secure a point for Stanley.
There are just TWO home games for Rovers left in this regular Sky Bet League One season and we want YOU to be the difference. Purchase your ticket now for Tuesday’s vital clash against Accrington Stanley via the Club Doncaster Box Office.
Tickets are available by either visiting in-store at the Keepmoat Stadium, by calling on 01302 762576, or online at tickets.clubdoncaster.co.uk.