DRFC - Rovers enjoy festive period

Doncaster entertained promotion candidates Burnley hoping to continue their good Christmas form after the Boxing Day victory at Nottingham Forest.

Rovers made one change from the Forest victory bringing in Coppinger in place of Guy.

The game started at a frantic pace with early corners being won by both sides, from one of these brought the first save of the game by Rovers keeper Sullivan from a Duff header.

Rovers first real chance fell to Coppinger but his free kick was high and wide.

In an entertaining opening both Woods and Chambers had long range efforts for Rovers whilst at the other end Paterson headed wide.

Rovers then had a great chance to take the lead when Heffernan was put through on goal but his shot hit the body of Jensen in the Burnley goal and went behind for a corner.

Paterson was looking the main danger for the visitors and he had a good chance but his effort was saved by Sullivan.

Coppinger had a good shot well saved by Jensen, at the other end Sullivan saved a shot from Carlisle.

The game continued to be open and Heffernan and Spicer both had chances to open the scoring for Rovers.

Burnley went closest just after the half hour when a Robbie Blake free kick rattled the cross bar.

The game changed completely in the space of three minutes soon afterwards when Rovers firstly took the lead, Coppinger got on the end of a poor clearance by Carlisle and he slammed the ball past Jensen.
Rovers went straight back on the attack from the restart and Wellens was brought down in the area by Caldwell; the referee didn`t hesitate to award the penalty and send off the Burnley defender.

Stock stepped up to take the spot kick and sent Jensen the wrong way, the referee deemed that players had encroached into the area and made the penalty be taken again, this time Stock went into the opposite corner of the net and once again sent Jensen the wrong way.

The half ran down with both clubs having chances to score but Rovers were happy to go in at half time two up.

The second half started the same as the first half finished; Burnley had the first real chance on goal when Blake`s shot was saved by Sullivan.

Rovers were enjoying plenty of possession and Heffernan came close to breaking through on goal, shortly afterwards Spicer nearly scored against his old club but Jensen produced an excellent save.

Burnley were soon back in the game when after good work from Elliott the dangerous Paterson shot across Sullivan to reduce the arrears for the visitors.

Spicer nearly gave Rovers their two goal cushion once again but another excellent save from Jensen kept him out.

The game was certainly end to end and it threatened to reach boiling point with referee Kettle struggling to control the game with players from both sides being fully committed.

Rovers fans were living on their nerves as Burnley went searching for an equaliser but they still kept threatening Jensen`s goal with chances falling to Coppinger and Stock before Chambers whizzed one just wide of the post in the dying minutes.

The final whistle went to the delight of the Rovers fans, the victory gave Rovers maximum points from the Christmas period although it fails to take them out of the relegation zone but it`s certainly tightening up at the bottom.

Rovers get the chance to relax from the pressure of the league next up when they travel to Cheltenham for an FA Cup third round tie.

Brian Stock
He continues to look the quality player in our side this season and he could be very hard to hold onto when the transfer window opens with both Wigan and West Brom showing an interest. Join Vital Doncaster Rovers!

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