An audition of sorts - The big talking points from Doncaster Rovers' FA Cup triumph over FC United of Manchester

No nonsense, all business, completely reliable.
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It was quite fitting that Andy Butler’s debut in the technical area for Doncaster Rovers brought a performance from the team that had all the qualities of the man himself.

They handled the potentially tricky task of a first round trip to FC United of Manchester with real professionalism, no fear or nerves and earned themselves a rather comfortable evening’s work.

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Butler is not a man to be rattled or fazed by anything. Questions about such matters after games in which he played were often met with bemusement first and foremost, followed by a frank dismissal of the suggestion it could ever have been so.

James Coppinger hooks in Rovers' fourth goal. Picture: Greg Dunbavand/AHPIXJames Coppinger hooks in Rovers' fourth goal. Picture: Greg Dunbavand/AHPIX
James Coppinger hooks in Rovers' fourth goal. Picture: Greg Dunbavand/AHPIX

And it was with the same calm head that he approached his unexpected first foray into management of a senior men’s side.

The task appeared a simple one - get past a seventh tier side in the FA Cup.

But for a top League One outfit, there is not a great deal of credit to be garnered from such an achievement. Failure to do so however brings a tremendous amount of ridicule and derision.

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Much of the preparation for the game may have been handled by Darren Moore, and the Rovers boss may have selected the team from self-isolation.

Andy Butler.Andy Butler.
Andy Butler.

But Butler had responsibility for the day, for ensuring the players were up for the task at hand and as switched on as they needed to be.

For that, he deserves a good deal of credit. Rovers stuck to the task at hand from the off, and while pushed by a determined opposition, they never lost their grip on the game.

No nonsense, all business, completely reliable.

AN AUDITION OF SORTS

Ed Williams congratulates Josh Sims on his goal. Picture: Greg Dunbavand/AHPIXEd Williams congratulates Josh Sims on his goal. Picture: Greg Dunbavand/AHPIX
Ed Williams congratulates Josh Sims on his goal. Picture: Greg Dunbavand/AHPIX

The seeds for Butler’s ascension into the manager’s role were fully sewn a couple of months ago when he agreed to return to the club as a player.

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He was sounded out then about the prospect of stepping up should Rovers require someone to fill the void - not only in the case of Covid-19 impacting on the club.

Outside talk about Moore’s future has only grown in the last few months. It is not inconceivable, given his impressive record and standing in the game, that his time at Rovers may be much more limited than anyone would want.

Rovers would not want to be caught cold and scrambling and so preemptively turned to Butler, who has impressed during his managerial apprenticeship with the Belles, on whom he has had a transformative effect.

Fejiri Okenabirhie celebrates his goal. Picture: Greg Dunbavand/AHPIXFejiri Okenabirhie celebrates his goal. Picture: Greg Dunbavand/AHPIX
Fejiri Okenabirhie celebrates his goal. Picture: Greg Dunbavand/AHPIX

More than one senior Rovers official described this period as a ‘big opportunity’ for Butler.

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In the short term that opportunity is to cement his status as the go-to man in times of need.

In the long term, it is no doubt an audition for the top job on a more permanent basis.

NOTHING LESS THAN CONTROL

The much lauded magic of the FA Cup does not come from simply seeing butchers, bakers and candlestick makers going up against full time professionals.

It is those butchers, bakers and candlestick makers giving those full time professionals a hard time and managing to get the better of them.

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FC United are hardly a bunch of rag tag amateurs but the BBC cameras were present at Broadhurst Park to sniff out a shock result.

Rovers simply were not going to allow that to happen.

They dominated the ball from start to finish, and played it around the pitch with calm, control and quality to ensure they never lost their stride.

FC United did not make life easy. They pressed with plenty of energy and in number, making sure Rovers were not able to just sit on the ball and had to force the issue.

And the hosts admirably stuck to their usual approach of playing out from the back, with quickfire passing taking them up the pitch.

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But their opportunities to show that were limited as Rovers moved the ball around the pitch with aplomb, led by the brilliant Ben Whiteman who really relished the opportunity to push forward more than he typically does in a game.

Professionalism reigned supreme.

DEFLECTION ROVERS

It was a tag flying around social media as Josh Sims netted his second, and Rovers’ third, deflected effort of the evening.

Deflections usually suggest an element of fortune in the goals scored but there was no such luck on these occasions.

Excellent movement, shaping of shots and directness in running all contributed to the efforts which took knicks on the way in.

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Sims danced across the face of the box before taking his shot to score his first. And his second came after setting himself superbly when picking up the ball in space, leaving the defender scrambling back forced to intervene in an attempt to stop the goal.

James Coppinger’s deflected volley came at the end of a brilliant move, including a deft chesting down from Whiteman.

While Fejiri Okenabirhie and Whiteman’s finishes were more clean for the first two goals, little should be taken away from the other strikes on the night.

MISSING THE FANFARE

Every single week it would be possible to write about the impact of the lack of supporters in grounds.

But on this occasion it was felt even more than usual.

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Empty stands ensured no tension, no fervour and definitely no magic.

It reduced what should have been a passionately fought FA Cup tie into little more than a pre-season friendly, certainly in how it felt in the stadium.

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In these confusing and worrying times, local journalism is more vital than ever. Thanks to everyone who helps us ask the questions that matter by taking out a subscription or buying a paper. We stand together. Nancy Fielder, editor.