Central League Cup
Tuesday 7th January 2020
Doncaster Rovers' 100% record in the Central League Cup came to an abrupt end as they were easily beaten 3-0 by Rochdale.
In cold conditions at Cantley Park, a younger-than-usual Rovers side (something which was potentially due to the re-arranged first team fixture with Shrewsbury Town tonight) delivered a barely lukewarm display.
The visitors, who fielded a certain Luke Matheson, netted the opener after roughly a quarter-of-an-hour, doubled their lead shortly after half-time and then seized upon some sloppy play to complete the scoring with 25 minutes or so remaining.
On the positives for Doncaster, Matty Blair lasted 45 minutes; his first 'game-time' since September and right-back Elliott Walker delivered some good balls into dangerous areas.
Sadly, however, it was one of those days where the negatives far outweighed everything else and it was a disappointing showing. Too many players didn't do themselves justice and they're capable of producing so much more.
Furthermore, Harrison Myring and Junior Smith both had to be substituted due to injury.
Matheson's inclusion was a surprise to many in attendance given his impact in the visitors' FA Cup Third Round tie with Newcastle United three days ago, when he came off the bench and set-up Aaron Wilbraham for their equaliser.
Clearly, the 17-year-old was included for a reason; the most likely one being that Dale manager Brian Barry-Murphy wants to ensure he doesn't get too carried away with things after a highly memorable first part of the season.
Rovers initially settled into proceedings okay with Harrison Myring and Elliott Walker looking bright and industrious on the right flank. It was Walker who created the first opening when his piercing cross from a deep position flew into the six-yard box but Myron Gibbons wasn't quite able to get his attempt on target.
At the other end, Louis Jones kept out a pot-shot from about 20 yards in Rochdale's first significant foray forward which came around the quarter-hour mark.
The visitors looked bright in possession and as the minutes passed by, slowly but surely they began to turn that into territorial pressure - albeit without focing too much.
Rovers were dealt a blow when Myring had to be substituted; pulling up and receiving treatment for several minutes with what looked to be a hamstring injury. In the meantime, Walker continued to pose a threat and another cross into the danger zone saw Rieves Boocock unable to convert it.
Eventually, a goal did come - and it was for Rochdale!
The ball was lost high up the pitch which meant the team in blue were able to break quickly on the counter-attack. Their defensive to offensive transition was fast and free-flowing with a ball down the inside-right releasing Keaton Mulvey, who took a touch beyond the out-rushing Jones and slotted into the unguarded net under some pressure from Nathan Dimou.
Doncaster then had an 'okay' period in the run-up to half-time. Liam Ravenhill, who wasn't having a bad game, went on a driving run but couldn't get a shot away from the edge of the area and was eventually dispossessed and in another promising attack, a few minutes later, Boocock strayed into an offside position.
Branden Horton then had the final chance of the opening 45 minutes when he ventured forward and unleashed an effort but it lacked accuracy and was harmlessly off-target.
At this stage, improvement was needed, particularly up top, because Rochdale had looked good on the ball, slightly more composed and were clearly a decent side.
Only two minutes after the re-start, Ravenhill saw a shot saved, but Fabio Tavares soon doubled the visitors' lead when he latched onto a through ball and showed great composure to hammer a low shot past Jones into the bottom-left corner.
Given how they'd played, already at this stage a comeback looked unlikely.
After the hour-mark, Rovers did nearly find a way back into proceedings when substitute Charlie Bell had what looked to be a troublesome shot inadvertently deflected wide by team-mate Junior Smith.
Bell was then caught out as the Lancashire team struck again on 65 minutes to firmly extinguish any hopes of a comeback. He was dispossessed just inside the opposition half, with the beneficiary who won the ball releasing a pass to Peter Thomas who capitalised on a high-defensive line, accelerated forward and finished with aplomb.
It was very quiet by now with a lot of players seemingly 'going through the motions' as defeat was inevitable. Substitutions also altered both teams' shape - another of which was forced one for Rovers as Smith went off, having suffered a knock a few minutes earlier.
The closest the hosts came to scoring a consolation was when Luca Nelson threaded a good ball through to Rieves Boocock late on, but the striker saw his initial attempt smothered by a highly-alert 'keeper before the danger was eventually cleared away.
All in all, it was a disappointing day - and some of the lads involved are capable of performing so much better, so they need to put it right as quickly as possible. They were up against a good, creative and passing team in Rochdale who had a few lads who were either a couple of years older than them or younger but with first team experience already under their belt.
Team: Louis Jones, Elliott Walker, Branden Horton, Ben Blythe, Nathan Dimou, Liam Ravenhill, Matty Blair (Charlie Bell), Myron Gibbons, Harrison Myring (Junior Smith (Lewis Cunningham)), Rieves Boocock, Jack Watson (Luca Nelson). Unused Sub: Ben Bottomley.
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