Story of the game as Doncaster Rovers exit Carabao Cup at Stoke City
Join us from the Bet365 Stadium for coverage of this second round contest. Remember to REFRESH regularly for the latest.
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LIVE: Stoke City 2 Doncaster Rovers 0
MATCH DETAILS
Kick-off: 7.45pm
STOKE: Stoke: Davies, Ince, Doughty, Chester, Batth, Fox, Thompson, Sawyers, Porter, Surridge (Fletcher 66), Norton (Brown 66). Subs: Bonham, Clucas, Vrancic, Tymon, Ostigard.
ROVERS: Jones; Knoyle, Blythe, John (Seaman 12), Horton; Greaves, Smith (Harrison 81); Williams, Close (Rowe 46), Barlow; Gardner. Subs: Dahlberg, Williams, Galbraith, Ravenhill.
In the circumstances....
Not a bad evening at all from Doncaster Rovers.
Absentees and injuries meant an already tricky evening was going to be all the more difficult but this young overs side approached the occasion with real maturity and composure to hold their own.
They defended well, used the ball cleverly and managed to soak up pressure as well as putting the opposition on the back foot on occasion.
They’re still lacking in the final third and inside the box in particular but on the whole that was not bad at all.
81. Substitution
Ethan Harrison replaces Matt Smith and becomes the third youngest player in Rovers’ history.
76. Should be three
Stoke really should have extended their advantage. Substitute Mario Vrancic picked out Steven Fletcher, who squared to Jacob Brown. Everyone was expecting Brown to hit the back of the net but he pulled his shot wide.
73 Chance
Kyle Knoyle gives the ball away 20 yards inside the Stoke half and it is a matter of seconds before Tom Ince slams a shot into the sidenetting after a rapid counter.
56 Chance
And it’s a very good save from Louis Jones at point blank range as Sam Surridge finds space for a header from an excellent Alfie Doughty cross. It was offside however.
48 GOAL Stoke
Sam Surridge doubles the advantage from close range.
A bit of a mix-up at the back left Surridge free to bring the ball down and slam in.
Not the start to the second half that Rovers wanted.
Rowe being called in
Tommy Rowe has been called back to the dressing room from the half time subs warm-up. Could we be seeing him on for the second half?
Behind, but a fairly promising half of football
Given all the circumstances facing Rovers heading into the game, and the fact they lost Cameron John early on, that was not bad at all.
The very inexperienced defence have looked solid and dealt with what has been thrown at them by a dangerous Stoke attack.
And as the half has worn on, they have enjoyed more of the ball in the opposition half.
It’s a little harsh that they find themselves behind at the break. Given the struggles in the final third this season, it has left them with a mountain to climb in this game.
But in terms of what it was hoped that could be seen in this contest, it’s not been too dispiriting.
41. Big chance
Rovers push well for an immediate response and Charlie Seaman forces a good save from Adam Davies.
They showed good persistence to keep the attack alive until it fell to Seaman, who turned and powered an effort on goal with his left foot.
38. GOAL Stoke
Tom Ince gives Stoke the lead from close range.
Morgan Fox was afforded far too much time and space to charge through the middle before firing a low shot from 20 yards. With the shot curling away from Louis Jones, who could not get a strong hand to it, allowing it to fall to Ince to slide in.
It is harsh on Rovers given their efforts in the early stages.
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