DRFC - Doncaster go down fighting

Doncaster came within fifteen minutes of getting a deserved draw at Reading after a gutsy display.

Rovers once again made a number of changes to the line up with a completely different strike force from the one that drew with Blackpool on Saturday.

In a very tight game with chances being few and far between Reading took the lead just after the quarter hour mark.

A terrible decision by the linesman gave the Royals a free kick when the Reading winger was caught by a strong breeze that blew him over!
The fact that he was in the area and only a free kick was given made the decision even dafter.
From the resulting free kick, Bikey got his head to the ball and gave Sullivan no chance in the Rovers goal.

Rovers were fighting hard and a succession of corners never really threatened the Reading goal.

The Royals were looking very shaky at the back and only the very impressive Bikey was holding things together.

Reading started the second half on the front foot and really should have wrapped things up when a clearance from Chambers bounced off a Reading player and fell to Noel Hunt, he ballooned over from ten yards.

Rovers then had an appeal for a penalty waved away when Guy went down a little too easily when under pressure, the referee probably made the right decision.

Rovers got on level terms when a controversial free kick was awarded to the visitors. The Reading defender clearly took the ball and even all Rovers fans in the stadium were shocked by the decision. Martin Woods free kick was tipped over the bar by Hahnermann, from the resulting corner Van Nieuwstadt got across his marker at the near post to power his header past the Reading keeper.

Rovers joy was short lived and once again conceded from a set piece, a free kick was swung into the area and Kevin Doyle was allowed a free header and diverted the ball past Sullivan in the Rovers goal.

Rovers continued to try and break down the Reading defence giving the home fans a nervous last ten minutes but to no avail.

A decent performance against a Reading side that have a 100% home record this season.

We look good until we cross the half way line, then its all too slow and precise allowing the defence to get back and crowd out the Rovers attack.
Reading showed on the night that when you break you break at pace and in numbers.

Van Nieuwstadt 8 Man of the match
Scored Rovers only goal and was solid at the back. A good old fashioned defender no thrills, head it, kick it and clear it!


Had little to do apart from the two goals, should have done a bit better with Readings second.

Played well until injured, had a tough night against a fast attacking Reading team

Looked solid in the centre of defence, made a crucial tackle in the second half to deny the Reading forward. Looked uncomfortable on the left hand side and was up against a speedy winger. Held his own and should never have been penalised for the free kick that led to Readings opener. Scored Rovers only goal and was solid at the back. A good old fashioned defender no thrills, head it, kick it and clear it!

Was he actually on the pitch?
I cannot remember him doing anything during the game.

Controls the centre of midfield for Rovers, always seems to be an option but is often guilty of slowing the game down and giving away possession.

Another one who did little, too light weight for this Division and seems scared to put a foot in! Kept getting in good positions and isn`t scared to have a shot. I have been impressed since his return to the side this season. Will run all day and does work hard, thought he went down too easily when trying to get a penalty. We need to score goals and he`s not the answer to that problem, doesn`t do enough to be worthy of a starting place and it`s time to give Heffernan a run in the side. Replaced James Chambers
Allowed O`Connor to revert back to right back and did well down the left hand side handling the Reading wide men well.

Replaced Lewis Guy
Gave Bikey a hard time and won a few free kicks in good positions

Replaced James Hayter
Won a few headers but didn`t do enough to trouble the Reading defence. Needs a run in the team and a goal to get his season going. Join Vital Doncaster Rovers!

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