Saturday, 22nd March 2014
Skybet League Championship
Doncaster Rovers 1 Sheffield Wednesday 0
Referee - Mr Mike Dean
Attendance - 12,609 (4,386 visitors)
It was cold and windy but it was a 'derby' game against Sheffield Wednesday so a big crowd was expected with the prospect of a good game to come.
Rovers kicked off and the game soon developed into a midfield battle. Wednesday were first to win a corner in the 7th minute but Johnstone made a good catch.
In the 10th minute Sharp got in a good strike but it was deflected for a corner but nothing came from it.
Rain started falling steadily as both teams probed for a breakthrough and Wednesday had a good spell of pressure.
A low cross from the left byline by Helan to the far post was put wide of the far post by the oncoming Lavery.
Lee then had a go from 25 yards but put wide. Then it was Rovers turn to get forward, winning a corner in the 23rd minute.
Minutes later and Rovers were awarded a free kick on their right, level with the eighteen yard line. Cotterill took the kick and squared the ball for the onrushing Coppinger to hit a terrific drive that Kirkland collected at the second attempt.
After a heavy shower the rain stopped and play equalled out for a spell and then, in the 32nd minute, good play on the Rovers right between Coppinger and Duffy led to the latter feeding Sharp to the left of goal. His shot was blocked by Kirkland and BROWN was on to the loose ball to tap in for the first goal.
Rovers continued to enjoy a good proportion of the play as the game ran down to the break, with the Owls desperate to hit back but they were having to defend more than attack.
Half Time - Doncaster Rovers 1 Sheffield Wednesday 0
The game recommenced with the sun shining but the pace had slackened. Played at a more sedate pace play was even.
Then, on 57 minutes, Best from the Wednesday left rifled in a shot from 30yards that Johnstone had to dive to his left to push away.
Past the hour and Rovers were awarded a free kick on their left touchline. Cotterill placed on to the six yard line where Sharp, running in, chested it goalwards but Kirkland managed to block and his defenders cleared.
Wednesday then seemed to up a gear and pressed forward, winning a succession of corners that were well defended.
Another corner to the Wednesday in the 77th minute was met with a firm header at the far post by Hutchinson but he put it over the bar.
A stoppage of several minutes at this point ensued with Johnstone requiring treatment before being able to continue.
Things began to hot up as the Wednesday pressed hard for an equaliser and began to show their frustration, particularly with the referee.
The first booking of the game came in the 89th minute when Duffy was stopped unceremoniously by Buxton as he went through.
In the 90th minute Rovers were awarded a free kick on their left just outside the angle of the penalty area. Cotterill went for the top far corner and it was going in until Kirkland got a hand to it and tipped it away.
Five tension-filled minutes of added time were negotiated but the Rovers emerged unscathed and with a precious three points in the bag.
Result - Doncaster Rovers 1 (Brown 32) Sheffield Wednesday 0
Teams - ROVERS - Sam Johnstone; James Coppinger, Paul Quinn, Abdoulaye Meite, James Husband; Mark Duffy, Richie Wellens (c), Paul Keegan, David Cotterill; Chris Brown, Billy Sharp
Subs not used - Dean Furman, Luke McCullough, Marc De Val, Theo Robinson, Enda Stevens, Lewis Ferguson, Ross Turnbull gk
Sheffield Wednesday - Chris Kirkland, Lewis Buxton, Oguchi Onyewu, Glenn Loovens (c), Jeremy Helan; Caolan Lavery, Liam Palmer, Kieran Lee, Chris Maguire; Atdhe Nuhiu, Leon Best
Subs used - Sam Hutchinson for Lavery 50 mins; Benik Afobe for Nuhiu 63 mins; Jermaine Johnson for Palmer 75 mins;
Subs not used - Giles Coke, Joe Mattock, Miguel Llera, David Martinez gk
Caution - Buxton 89 mins;