Saturday Night Takeaway: Don't let the captain's future overshadow a brilliant FA Cup triumph for Doncaster Rovers

And it happened.

After a week of rejected bids and fierce speculation, Ben Whiteman was absent from Doncaster Rovers’ matchday squad for the FA Cup third round tie with Blackburn Rovers.

While the talking point that is the captain’s future will only intensify from here, it would be greatly unfair to allow a superb victory for Rovers to be overshadowed.

Taylor Richards’ first half strike proved enough to down Championship opposition on their own turf and secure a place in the fourth round for only the second time in 11 years.

While not as crisp and sparkling as typical performances from a Darren Moore side, it was packed with fighting spirit, endeavour and supreme concentration to keep at bay the second tier’s top scoring side.

It was a performance made all the more remarkable by the manner of the preparations which preceded it for Rovers.

Five positive Covid-19 tests, including for Whiteman, all the squad in self-isolation for ten days and a staggered return to training from Tuesday - it was hardly the ideal build-up for facing higher league opposition.

And it certainly showed at times, with a lack of sharpness in passing play and a few tired legs as the game wore on.

But what was not impacted was Rovers’ organisation and their ability to stay switched on through to the end.

The defensive effort had been strong throughout the game. While Blackburn dominated first half possession, they struggled for genuine opportunities to test Rovers’ new keeper Ellery Balcombe thanks to a strong rear guard effort from their visitors.

And it came with another of Moore’s trademark reshuffles, which put Joe Wright in at right back again while Brad Halliday ticked off a new position of holding midfielder alongside fellow natural full back Reece James, who has become accustomed to the position.

Balcombe produced a brilliant double save that will no doubt be all over social media this weekend. But in terms of work required from the Brentford loanee there was little else.

Chances to show off Rovers’ attacking chops were limited, though there was some brilliant interplay between Richards and Tyreece John-Jules in the first half.

And then Richards collected the ball on half way, galloped forward and just kept going before slamming a shot towards the bottom corner from 20 yards. Preston keeper Aynsley Pears should have stopped it but fluffed his take and watched it squirm in off the post.

Blackburn pushed in spells but there rarely needed to be defending of the last ditch kind from Rovers, barring a timely block from the brilliant Tom Anderson to keep out a low drive.

Tony Mowbray threw on players in search of the equaliser such as top scorer Adam Armstrong and Liverpool starlet Harvey Elliott but the hosts only grew more scrappy and desperate, ensuring the nerves never got the better of Rovers.

And so they held on without having to desperately hold on, securing an excellent win in the very difficult circumstances.

There will be plenty of talk of Whiteman over the next few days. But there should be plenty of talk of this win as well.

*

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.