An outstanding performance from Fleetwood Town saw them win 4-0 at in-form Doncaster Rovers on Saturday.
The Cod Army took an early in the match as Ched Evans slotted his penalty kick past the goalkeeper into the side netting. Two more goals came before the break from James Wallace and Ash Eastham, and you’d have to say it was the perfect 45 minutes from the away side.
Ash Hunter made it four shortly after the restart after a defensive error by Joe Wright. The 23-year-old nicked the ball from the centre-half, and found himself one on one with the keeper, only to then slot the ball home. This proved to be more than enough as Town returned to winning ways.
Joey Barton made one change to the side that starting against Wycombe Wanderers on Tuesday night with Evans coming in, replacing Wes Burns who drops to the bench. Craig Morgan returned to the 18-man-squad, which will be a big boost to the team.
It was a fantastic start to the game for Town, who scored within the opening five minutes of the match. Evans was taken down by the Doncaster keeper Marco Marosi and saw the referee point straight to the penalty spot.
The Welshman stepped up and buried his spot-kick from 12-yards, even with the goalkeeper going the right way. What a start for the Cod Army!
The home side didn’t let the slow start affect them and had a free-kick from just outside the Town box moments later. Long serving midfielder James Coppinger was the player who stepped over the ball, but could only see his shot sail over Alex Cairns’ crossbar.
Both sides were looking to get the ball down and break the opposition down, and Grant McCann’s side were pushing on the left flank with their full-back making the most of the width, and with Mallik Wilks driving into the box, Cairns had to make a smart save down to this right hand side.
Marquis and Joe Wright went close for Doncaster within two minutes of each other. Both players found themselves in acres of space inside the penalty box, but both missing the target from six yards.
Despite the pressure from the home side, it was James Wallace who headed the ball home in front of the travelling Fleetwood fans from Hunter’s out swinging corner, which gave Barton’s side a 2-0 lead with ten minutes to go until the interval.
Town were in dreamland as Eastham made it three nil with seconds to go until half-time, and it was captain Eastham whose powerful header found the back of the net after Ross Wallace whipped in the ball from the corner spot. The perfect 45 minutes!
Hunter made it four nil four minutes after the restart, sending the 214 Fleetwood fans wild.
Town kept pushing for a fifth goal and the front four of Wallace, Hunter, Evans and Madden were troubling the Doncaster back line with their movement and interchange deep inside the final third, and it was working well, with the home side looking to attack at every moment.
The back four of Fleetwood stood firm with Rovers pushing more and more bodies forward as the clocked continued to tick down at the Keepmoat Stadium. The home side made three attacking changes, looking to get themselves back into the game, but they couldn’t break down the yellow wall.
After all that Doncaster put on Barton’s side, they failed to convert any chances that came their way, and it was a game where one team took their chances, and won all three points,
Doncaster XI: Marosi (GK), Mason (Crawford53’), Andrew, Wright, Butler ©, Wilks (Beestin 74’), Whiteman, Marquis, Kane, Blair, Coppinger.
Subs not used: Laylor (GK), Anderson, J. Anderson, Amos.
Town's Xl: Cairns (GK), Coyle, Eastham ©, Evans (Burns 70’), Madden, Taylor, Hunter, R. Wallace, Husband (Holt 7’), Sheron, J. Wallace (Morgan 46’).
Subs not used: Crellin (GK), Burns, Dempsey, Long, Biggins.