Doncaster Rovers 3 - 1 Southend United

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Saturday Dec 29 2007 03:00

Rampant Rovers had the points sewn up by half time as they chalked up their third win in three games over the festive period.

Doncaster moved to fourth in the table as a result of this well deserved victory, while Southend lost ground in the promotion race.

Skipper Adam Lockwood headed Doncaster in front following an eight minute corner and although Southend equalised ten minutes later, the home side continued to call the shots.

Lockwood's header rocketed into the roof of the net and bounced down and, although it was scrambled away from the goalmouth, the referee ruled that it had clearly crossed the line.Charlie MacDonald levelled the scores with a diving header that went in off the post in the 18th minute after Nicky Bailey had cut the ball back following a rare defensive error.

The home side pressed on undaunted in the pouring rain with Richie Wellens volleying wide three minutes later before Paul Green hit a fierce shot over the bar in the 26th minute.

Green made no mistake when he restored Rovers' lead on the half hour mark as he lashed home a left foot shot after the ball had fallen to him following another corner from Brian Stock.

In fact all the Doncaster goals resulted from Stock's corners, with the third coming in the 41st minute.

Visiting keeper Steven Collis had produced a superb save to tip a cracking effort from Jason Price round the post.

From the resulting corner, however, Collis punched the ball straight to the feet of Gareth Roberts on the edge of the box and the Rovers left-back hit a swerving left foot volley in off the post.

Southend's attempts to hit back were far from convincing in the second half and, apart from a missed chance by Gary Hooper six minutes from time, they rarely looked like scoring as Doncaster held out comfortably for another valuable win.

  • 90
    The ref has blown his whistle for full time.
  • 46
    The second half is under way with the score currently at 3 v 1.
  • 45
    The ref has blown his whistle for half time.
  • 42
    Goal!! Gareth Roberts scores for Doncaster.
  • 30
    Goal!! Paul Green scores for Doncaster.
  • 23
    Leon Clarke is booked for dissent.
  • 18
    Goal!! Southend have scored with Charlie MacDonald putting it in the back of the net.
  • 8
    Goal!! Doncaster have scored with Adam Lockwood putting it in the back of the net.
  • 0
    The ref has blown his whistle and the match has started.

Statistics

Doncaster Rovers
Shots on target 5
Shots off target 3
Shots off bar/post 0
Fouls 7
Offsides 8
Corners 5

Southend United
Shots on target 1
Shots off target 3
Shots off bar/post 0
Fouls 7
Offsides 6
Corners 3

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