Liam Wakefield was the cup hero for Doncaster Rovers as he swept them into the third round of the Capital One Cup.
Watford 1 (Dyer, 32)
Doncaster Rovers 2 (Tyson, 12 Wakefield, 52)
Tuesday 26
Vicarage Road, Watford
th
Capital One Cup
August 2014
A confident performance from Doncaster Rovers saw the visitors defeat Championship side Watford to reach the third round of the Capital One Cup.
There were two changes for Rovers as youngster Liam Wakefield came in for Jamie McCombe at the back and Theo Robinson was replaced by Nathan Tyson. Paul Dickov’s men were looking for their fourth win in a row away from home.
Watford made nine changes from the side that defeated Leeds United 4-1 at the weekend.
A very open first five minutes at Vicarage Road led to early chances for both sides but it was the visitors who started stronger. Rovers looked confident on the ball and their first chance fell just three minutes into the game as a lively Kyle Bennett put Nathan Tyson through down the left. Tyson got his shot away but dragged the ball just wide of the left post.
Five minutes later James Coppinger delivered a free kick into the Watford area, which met the head of an unmarked Nathan Tyson but he put the header wide.
Kyle Bennett continued to impress for the visitors and showed some great skill in the 12thminute as he worked through the Watford defence and was brought down in the area- the referee pointed straight to the spot.
Nathan Tyson confidently stepped up and sent goalkeeper Bond the wrong way to put Rovers ahead 1-0.
After going behind, Watford started to see more of the ball and looked dangerous on the counter attack, but it has to be said Paul Dickov’s men matched the Championship side well.
On 32 minutes Watford’s Ighalo played a lovely backheel to put Lloyd Dyer through on goal. The midfielder struck the ball low and hard past Jed Steer to equalise for the hosts. The teams went in level at 1-1, with Rovers being the better of the two sides.
Rovers started the second half as they finished the first, playing confident attacking football, and it took just eight minutes to get on the scoreboard again. Some great play by Furman down the right resulted in a low ball into the box which was met by 19 year old Liam Wakefield, who cooly slotted home from ten yards. The visitors led 2-1.
Having gained the upper hand, Rovers or rather Reece Wabara almost gifted Watford a goal as a mix up saw him take the ball past his own keeper. The centre back did well to scramble back and clear the ball off the line.
Hard working Nathan Tyson continued to cause problems for the Watford defence as he set up Kyle Bennett for a long range shot just minutes later, the ball just going wide of the left post.
Beppe Sannino responded to going behind by making three substitutions on 68 minutes but they failed to make an impression as the hosts rarely threatened for the rest of the game.
The best chance for Rovers to extend their lead fell to the unlikely Paul Keegan on 75 minutes as his shot from 20 yards hit the back of the net. Rovers fans were celebrating but the referee awarded a free kick to Watford after the linesman spotted Nathan Tyson in an offside position.
Paul DIckov introduced Richie Wellens on 78 minutes and a hard working Marc De Val made way.
With 6 minutes of added time to play James Coppinger and Kyle Bennett linked up expertly well to run the clock down until the referee finally blew for full time, giving Rovers their fourth win on the road and their first at Vicarage Road in 54 years.
Jonathan Bond, Keith Andrews, Lewis McGugan (Gianni Munari-68), Lloyd Doyley (c) (Daniel Pudil-68), Sean Murray (Diego Fabbrini-74), Gabriel Tamas, Matej Vydra, Ikechi Anya, Lloyd Dyer, Odion Ighalo, Tommie HobanWatford:
Team details:
Subs not used – Rene Gilmartin, Gabriele Angella, Josh Doherty, George Byers
Jed Steer, Cedric Evina, Dean Furman, Luke McCullough, Nathan Tyson, Liam Wakefield, Paul Keegan, Marc De Val Fernandez (Richie Wellens-78), Reece Wabara, Kyle Bennett, James Coppinger (c)Rovers:
Cautions – Keith Andrews, Marc De Val Fernandez, Nathan Tyson
Subs not used – Marko Marosi, Theo Robinson, Alex Peterson, Ben Askins, Mitchell Lund, Billy Whitehouse.
Attendance – 7318
Away- 270