Preview: Doncaster Rovers v Fleetwood Town

7 January 2022

Fleetwood Town face Doncaster Rovers on Saturday 8 January at the Eco-Power Stadium in Sky Bet League One, and we have all you need to know ahead of the 3pm kick-off in our match preview.

Fixture: Doncaster Rovers v Fleetwood Town

Competition: Sky Bet League One

Date: Saturday 8 January 2021

Kick-off: 15:00

Venue: Eco-Power Stadium, Stadium Way, Doncaster, DN4 5JW

Eco-Power Stadium.jpg

FLEETWOOD TOWN

Stephen Crainey’s side are set to take on Doncaster in their first fixture in 2022 after having their last two games against Wigan Athletic and Sunderland postponed due to the number of Covid cases and injuries in the squad.

Town fell short in their last league outing, which was a home clash against Shrewsbury Town on Boxing Day, which halted the three-game unbeaten streak the side was on. Even though Fleetwood managed to create multiple chances throughout the game, which challenged Marco Marosi, they were defeated after goals from Ryan Bowman, Josh Vela, and Daniel Udoh.

In the game before against Morecambe, it was a stalemate that saw Shayden Morris come closest for Town in the first half when he was denied by the goalkeeper. Cole Stockton had the best of the hosts’ chances in the second half, but his close-range effort was kept out by Alex Cairns.

DONCASTER ROVERS

Doncaster, who recently hired Gary McSheffrey as their first-team manager, are currently in a relegation battle in Sky Bet League One, with their last result seeing them fall to a narrow 4-3 defeat to Morecambe away from home.

They found themselves 3-0 up in the game at the half-hour mark after goals from Aidan Barlow, Dan Gardner, and Joe Olowu, but a miraculous second-half comeback from the Shrimpers saw them take all three points with former-Cod Toumani Diagouraga getting the decisive goal on the afternoon.

Donny had mixed results in December as their game against Sunderland ended in a 3-0 loss, with Ross Stewart netting a penalty before Elliot Embleton scored and Ben Blythe found himself in an unlucky spot as he put the ball into his own net to put the game out of sight.

Before that, they held off Shrewsbury Town in what was an even game, but Olowu scored the only goal of the game, sealing a 1-0 win for the side from the Eco-Power Stadium.

Doncaster Rovers.jpg

LAST THREE MEETINGS

Fixture: Doncaster Rovers 0-1 Fleetwood Town

Competition: Sky Bet League One

Date: Saturday 24 April 2021

Venue: Eco-Power Stadium

Doncaster Gallery 002.jpg

Fixture: Fleetwood Town 3-1 Doncaster Rovers

Competition: Sky Bet League One

Date: Tuesday 9 February 2021

Venue: Highbury Stadium

Doncaster Gallery 001.jpg

Fixture: Fleetwood Town 2-1 Doncaster Rovers

Competition: Sky Bet League One

Date: Saturday 1 February 2020

Venue: Highbury Stadium

Doncaster Gallery 003.jpg

	Fleetwood Town	Draws	Doncaster Rovers
H2H results	6	3	3

Doncaster Gallery 004.jpg

PRE-MATCH QUOTES: STEPHEN CRAINEY

Head Coach Stephen Crainey spoke to the media ahead of his side’s Sky Bet League One away clash against Doncaster Rovers on Thursday afternoon at Poolfoot Farm. Here is what he had to say in his interview:

“I treat every game as if it was a cup final and that’s how the team is going to treat every game of football. It’s a big game, both sides will be going into it wanting to win and it will be a tough one as Doncaster are at home. We’ve watched their last few games and they’ve got some good players in their team, but so have we. Every game in League One is going to be tough but we are going into the game with the belief that we can win the game.

“I’ve played against Gary [McSheffrey] in my career a few times so it will be nice to see him and see how he’s enjoying his role there – I’m sure he’s enjoying it and he will be looking to win the game, just as we are looking to win as well. It will be a good encounter and one that we are looking to come out on top of.

“We’ll be doing everything we can to stay in this division, the application from the group since the day I took charge has been spot on and I’m sure that if they maintain that, we will stay in the league for next season. We’ve worked with the lads from the beginning of my interim charge, and they are starting to implement that into recent games, which is pleasing for me."

GET YOUR ONWARD CARD TODAY!

The best way to watch Fleetwood Town this year is by purchasing the Onward Card. For adults, you will pay as little as £170 for 23 Sky Bet League One matches, with many benefits included in the deal. Click HERE for more details.

Match Previews

Match Reports

Report: Harrison's debut goal secures win over Doncaster

8 January 2022

Fleetwood Town started the year with a 1-0 win on the road as they managed to beat Doncaster Rovers at the Eco-Power Stadium on Saturday afternoon.

The deciding goal in the game was scored by debutant Ellis Harrison, who signed for the club just hours before naming the line-up ahead of the game, as he poked home Paddy Lane’s low-driven cross from the right – finishing off the perfect opening day for the forward.

It was a quiet start to the game with the ball spending most of the opening minutes in the centre of the park, with both teams battling it out for possession.

In the 17th minute, Callum Camps threaded the ball through to Cian Hayes who found himself one of one with Pontus Dahlberg, but the Doncaster goalkeeper stood up tall and pulled off a smart save with his feet.

Minutes later, Danny Andrew came close to opening the scoring when his 20-yard free-kick forced the Rovers stopper into a diving save.

Soon after, the Town left-back was at the heart of the action once again when his curling set-piece almost picked out Tom Clarke at the back post – although it was just a little high for his defensive colleague.

After a neat exchange with Callum Johnson, Lane beat Branden Horton before crossing the ball towards new signing Harrison, but Dahlberg read it well and intercepted.

Doncaster looked to take the lead just before the break when Jordy Hiwula found space inside the Cod Army penalty area. However, his headed effort was wayward and didn’t trouble goalkeeper Alex Cairns.

As the first half came to a close, Lane found Harrison with an enticing ball into the box. His powerful header could only find the gloves of Dahlberg.

Town started the second half brightly as Hayes managed to get past his man on the left before crossing into a crowded area, but a defender just about got in the way before Harrison could his head on it.

Soon after, Dan Batty tried his luck from the edge of the area. He was unlucky as he saw his effort tipped over the bar.

On the 50-minute mark, Fleetwood’s effort electric start reaped its rewards when Harrison put his side ahead. Lane was at the centre of the move and it was his low, driven cross that Town’s new loan signing poked home to score on his debut.

Doncaster responded immediately when Tommy Rowe met Horton’s in-swinging cross. Cairns wasn’t troubled by the skipper’s effort which was off target.

Hayes’ first-time cross found the run of goal scorer Harrison whose header flew just over the crossbar whilst slightly off balance. Not long after, Andrew unleashed a curling effort from the edge of the area which for a moment, looked like it was creeping into the top right corner.

Rovers pushed for an equaliser when substitute Joe Dodoo found space 20 yards from goal. He let the ball bounce before striking it on the half volley, but his effort soared just wide of the post.

Cairns made a brilliant save just before the final whistle to keep the one-goal lead after a strike from 12-yards stung the palms of the goalkeeper from Doncaster.

Town XI: Cairns (GK), Andrew (C), Clarke, Harrison (Pilkington 64’), Camps, Batty (Boyle 90+5'), C.Johnson, Biggins, Lane, Johnston, Hayes (Morris 90’).

Unused subs: Crellin (GK), Baggley, Conn-Clarke, Bird.

Doncaster XI: Dahlberg (GK), Knoyle, Olowu, Williams, Bogle, Rowe (C), Smith, Barlow (Dodoo 64’), Hiwula (Seaman 73'), Galbraith, Horton (Cukar 87').

Unused subs: Jones (GK), Greaves, Hasani, Blythe.

Attendance: 5648 (246 away)

Match Reports

Ticket News

Show your support for the Cods this weekend in Doncaster!

7 January 2022

Fleetwood Town’s first game of 2022 is taking place this Saturday when the side travel to the Eco-Power Stadium to face Doncaster Rovers (3pm kick-off).

The Cods will be looking to build on their draw against Morecambe in their last away outing, which took place midway through the last month of 2021, as they take on Gary McSheffrey’s men who recently lost out to the Shrimpers 4-3 at the Mazuma Stadium.

Here are the ticket and travel details for the league fixture:

Tickets

The Cod Army will be located in the Solutions 4 Cleaning North Stand, with prices as follows:

Adults: £21

Seniors (65+): £17

18-24-year-olds: £17

12-17-year-olds: £8

Under-12s: £5

Coach Travel

Coaches will be departing Highbury Stadium at 10:30am, costing only £5 for all Onward Card Holders and £15 for Non-Onward Card Holders. To purchase either coach travel, visit the club shop at Highbury Stadium or call 01253 775080.