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by Rich Colby

Rovers will be looking to make it three wins on the spin as they face Crewe Alexandra at the Keepmoat Stadium under the lights on Tuesday evening.

Whenever we play Crewe at home, the memories come flooding back of that memorable evening almost eight years ago to the day.  The Johnstones Paint Trophy area final 2nd leg, February 2007.  After drawing the first leg 3-3 at Gresty Road, Crewe were 2-0 up within 36 minutes at Doncasters brand new Keepmoat Stadium with goals from Luke Varney and Ryan Lowe.  But with just 27 minutes remaining on the clock Paul Heffernen struck to make it 1-2.  The Irishman struck again from the penalty spot with just 7 minutes remaining and everyone assumed the tie would go to extra time, until up popped the ‘Afro Goal Machine’ Jason Price.  Price’s strike in the 89th minute sent Rovers to Cardiff where they went on to defeat Bristol Rovers 3-2.

But anyway, back to reality, and things are currently going well for both sides.  Rovers recent demolitions of Crawley and Yeovil have seen them chalk up eight goals by seven different scorers and zero goals conceded.  Crewe meanwhile have won four of their last five games.  The defeat coming to high-flying MK Dons.  The man to watch for them will be on-loan Leeds striker Nicky Ajose who has scored in all four of Crewe’s recent victories against Port Vale, Colchester, Yeovil and Fleetwood.

A win for Paul Dickov’s men should push them into a play-off place at the expense of Oldham and Chesterfield, providing Rovers win their game by more goals than Chesterfield (if they do win) who visit Scunthorpe.  A win for Crewe who currently sit 17th would put them just one point behind Rovers in what is a very tight league.

Rovers could be without the services of Harry Forrester who left the field with a groin problem at the weekend.  Striker Uche Ikpeazu may also miss out through a hamstring strain, along with James Coppinger.  Forrester could  have late fitness tests to try and make the squad.  Expect Paul Dickov to name the same side for the third successive game.

Last time out the two teams fought out a 1-1 draw at Gresty Road the end of November.  The now Rovers player Uche Ikpeazu gave Crewe the lead on half an hour, James Coppinger levelled it up with just ten minutes to go.  In their last visit to the Keepmoat in November 2012 Crew took all three points in a 2-0 win.

Come on you reds!

Overall record Vs Crewe Alexandra:  P 96/W 39/D 26/L 31
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by Rich Colby

Rovers are back at the Keepmoat Stadium this weekend to face old Conference rivals Yeovil Town.

Paul Dickov’s men will be hoping that they haven’t run out of goals after what can only be described as a demolition of Crawley Town on Tuesday night.  Granted, Crawley didn’t play well, but Rovers did everything right for the full 90 minutes.

The starting eleven is very likely to stay the same as Tuesday featuring a five-man midfield of Forrester, Wellens, Keegan, Furman and Bennet.  Nathan Tyson is also likely to keep his place up front on his own but competition is strong for places in all areas.  Abdul Razak is finally available for selection after the Greek carrier-pigeon successfully delivered the forms to FA Headquarters.  Jamie Coppinger, Luke McCullough and Rob Jones are all expected to miss out through injury but Uche Ikpeazu could be in the squad following a hamstring strain.

Yeovil currently sit 22nd in the league and four points from safety.  Interim manager Terry Skiverton will be looking to give The Glovers a boost after just two wins in their last ten league games.  Ex-Rovers striker James Hayter will receive a warm welcome from the Keepmoat faithful, but always likely to score a goal, the Doncaster back line will have to be wary.

A win for Yeovil would keep them in the bottom four, but a win always gives teams a boost going forward.  Victory for Rovers could see them in with a faint chance of moving into the play-off places providing other results really go their way.

The teams last met on the first day of the season at a sunny Huish Park.  Curtis Main struck after just 8 minutes to give Rovers and early lead, then second half goals from Harry Forrester and Theo Robinson gave an excellent start to the season.  Last time out at the Keepmoat Stadium Rovers again took the spoils.  Dean Furman opened the scoring early on, but just before half time former Rovers defender Byron Webster levelled the scores.  A late Mark Duffy free-kick gave Paul Dickov’s side all three points.

Come on you reds!

Overall record Vs Yeovil Town (Football League only):  P 13/W 3/D 2/L 8
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by Rich Colby

After Saturdays disappointment of a 2-0 defeat to Walsall, Rovers will quickly be looking to get back on track as they face Crawley Town at the Broadfield Stadium.

Defeat at the weekend made Rovers drop into the bottom half of the table so they will be going all out for victory against second-bottom Crawley.  You can throw a blanket over most of League One at the moment with only 5 points separating 6th from 17th.

Rovers will be without Luke McCullough who will be out for around a fortnight along with Rob Jones and Jamie Coppinger.  Midfielder Abdul Razak could feature providing the relevant paperwork comes through from Greece in time.

Ex-Rovers manager Dean Saunders will come up against his old team for the first time and he’ll be looking to give Crawley the boost that they so badly to try and climb out of the relegation zone.  The Red Devils have won just once in their last fifteen games in all competitions.  One man who loves a goal against Doncaster is striker Izale McLeod and he will be the man for Butler and co to keep an eye on.

In what will only be the fourth ever meeting between the two sides, Paul Dickov’s men will be looking to register their first victory against Crawley Town.  Last time out the two sides fought out a goal-less draw at the Keepmoat Stadium back in September.  The two teams last faced each other at the Broadfield Stadium almost two years ago to the day.  Josh Simpson gave Crawley a goal lead mid-way through the first half, only for James Husband to level the scores just before half time.  And that’s how it stayed resulting in a 1-1 draw.

Come on you reds!

Overall record Vs Crawley Town:  P 3/W 0/D 2/L 1
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Season ticket holders can take advantage of some great extra ticket offers over the course of the next few home games.  So gather up your friends and family and give them a treat at the Keepmoat Stadium.

For the match against Walsall (Saturday 7th February), season ticket holders can exchange Voucher M from their booklet for up to 2 tickets for £10 each, a saving of up to £14 per ticket.

Then for the games against Yeovil Town (Saturday 14th February) and Crewe Alexandra (Tuesday 17th February), season ticket holders can exchange the match vouchers for games they missed this season for FREE tickets. 

Please remember that the Crewe Alexandra and Bristol City games were originally postponed, so please don't exchange the vouchers for these games.

To take advantage of these offers simply take your season ticket booklet to the Keepmoat Stadium Ticket Office where the staff will be delighted to help.

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by Rich Colby

Rovers will be looking to continue their better home form of late as they take on Walsall at the Keepmoat Stadium this weekend.

After a poor run of home form before Christmas, Paul Dickov’s men are unbeaten in the last four games at the Keepmoat notching together two wins and two draws.  If they want to make that five though they’ll have to do it without Jamie Coppinger this weekend who misses out after the injury he picked up at Chesterfield. Rob Jones will also miss out but Abdul Razak should have international clearance through and be available for selection.

Rovers will have League One Player of the Month nominee and former Sadler Andy Butler at the heart of the defence. He has vowed to do his former side no favours this weekend. Walsall will have former Rovers players James Baxendale, James O’Connor  and James Chambers in their squad in what will seem like a reunion at DN4. But they will be missing top scorer Tom Bradshaw who has picked up a hamstring injury.

Just two points separate Rovers (12th) and Walsall (16th) so both have it all to play for.  A win for Walsall would take them above Rovers and possibly into the top half of the table for the first time this season. A win for Doncaster will push them ever closer to those play-off places providing a couple of other results go their way.

The two teams last squared off in September at the Banks’s Stadium. A rare bad performance away from home saw Paul Dickov’s men go down 3-0 to the Sadlers with goals from James Baxendale, Tom Bradshaw and Anthony Forde.  Last time the teams met at the Keepmoat Stadium in February 2013 Walsall also took the spoils winning 2-1.  Our very own Andy Butler scored after just 2 minutes for Walsall.  Bill Paynter equalized for Rovers after 16 minutes but on loan Fabian Brandy scored the winner for Walsall nine minutes from the end.

Come on you reds!

Overall record Vs Walsall:  P 57/W 21/D 9/L 27
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