Frustration, sympathy, firing back and other talking points from Doncaster Rovers' day to forget at Gillingham

Doncaster Rovers were battered physically and emotionally in punishing gales as they fell to a 2-1 defeat at the Priestfield Stadium.
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The sending off of Fejiri Okenabirhie turned the game on its head after Ben Sheaf had given Rovers the lead. Two own goals from Cameron John ultimately saw Gillingham secure the win.

Here we look at some of the major talking points from the defeat at the Priestfield Stadium.

WHAT COULD HAVE GONE WRONG…

Goalscorer Ben Sheaf is tackled during the clash with Gillingham. Picture: Shibu Preman/AHPIXGoalscorer Ben Sheaf is tackled during the clash with Gillingham. Picture: Shibu Preman/AHPIX
Goalscorer Ben Sheaf is tackled during the clash with Gillingham. Picture: Shibu Preman/AHPIX
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It was very much one of those days for Rovers as three separate incidents played such a crucial part in the ultimate outcome of the fixture. Fejiri Okenabirhie was a little reckless with his arm placement but on other occasions you would not have been surprised to see him escape with a yellow card. That dismissal brought a Gillingham side into the game that had struggled to get going. But they needed a pair of own goals to truly turn the game on its head. It will be little consolation but Rovers played well in the main only for Lady Luck to give them the coldest of cold shoulders. One to draw a line under quickly and not read too much from.

SYMPATHY FOR JOHN

He will no doubt come in for some serious pelters for putting the ball in the back of his own net twice but Cameron John deserves some sympathy for what will hopefully go down as the worst afternoon of his entire career. The first one was arguably the most avoidable but the conditions certainly played a part in taking Tom O’Connor’s corner towards the near post. The second was one of those things, as he attempted to cut out a cross and sent it on target. Darren Moore insists John will learn plenty from the afternoon and he hopefully he will shake it off quickly and move on.

BRILLIANT FROM SHEAF

Jacob Ramsey looks for a way through against Gillingham. Picture: Shibu Preman/AHPIXJacob Ramsey looks for a way through against Gillingham. Picture: Shibu Preman/AHPIX
Jacob Ramsey looks for a way through against Gillingham. Picture: Shibu Preman/AHPIX

The Arsenal loanee got off the mark for Rovers with a wonderful strike of real quality and could easily have had at least one more in a strong performance. He harshly saw a goal at Southend taken off him and given as an own goal but there were no doubts about this one. He has come in for some very unjust stick at times this season but continues to press on and perform very well. He is a valuable player for Rovers and proved that again with another strong and important performance.

RESOLUTE AND DETERMINEDRovers showed two welcome aspects of their character as a side as they showed strong resolve when down to ten men but also had the composure to push forward and threaten an equaliser in the second half. Arguably on the balance of chances, they deserved a share of the spoils and it says plenty about them that in the conditions and with the numbers disadvantage that was the case.

GREAT FOR BLAIR

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It was pleasing to see Matty Blair handed his first start since mid-September after a frustrating period with injuries. He faces strong competition for a place in the side and clearly has done enough to get the nod. He performed well too, showing his value to the squad. With his contract up at the end of the campaign, it will have been a boost for him to be handed a place, given the caliabre of the players on the bench.

Kieran Sadlier heads on goal against Gillingham. Picture: Howard Roe/AHPIXKieran Sadlier heads on goal against Gillingham. Picture: Howard Roe/AHPIX
Kieran Sadlier heads on goal against Gillingham. Picture: Howard Roe/AHPIX

SELECTION POLICY HAMMERED HOME

On the make-up of his side, Darren Moore is undoubtedly a headstrong figure. Winning in midweek with what was largely a strong performance, meant little when it came to selecting a side to face Gillingham. Moore is - to borrow one of his regularly-used phrases - a ‘horses for courses’ manager and displayed that with his team selection at the Priestfield. Blair came in to add more defensive cover on the flank, Jacob Ramsey for control in the middle of the park. Don’t expect Moore’s selection policy to change any time soon.

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