Reds do Donny double

Barnsley completed their first double of the season at the Keepmoat Stadium last night thanks to a 42nd minute strike from Jon Macken.

An unchanged starting eleven from Saturday’s goalless draw with Bristol City lined up against Sean O’Driscoll’s men, with both teams having only managed seventeen goals between them so far, it was expected to be a tight encounter.

The Reds started brightly with Brazilian, Anderson looking to dominate the midfield.

Jamal Camlbell-Ryce created the first chance for the Tykes setting up Jon Macken from eight yards but the striker fired straight down Sullivan’s throat.

After a harmless free-kick from Campbell-Ryce flew over the bar, the home side’s first attempt on goal came through Jason Price on ten minutes. The forward had plenty of room to shoot but fired well wide of Muller’s goal.

Price had another chance to test Muller from distance but again fired wide from 30-yards.

The first of a series of shots to fly over Sullivan’s bar came from Iain Hume on thirteen minutes then Anderson de Silva moments later.

Barnsley were doing everything right in midfield but their finishing left a lot to be desired as Doncaster were happy to allow the Reds to press forward.

Again Anderson was the creative spark in the middle and set himself up with an easy chance to break the deadlock on 25 minutes.
The Brazilian danced his way into the Rovers box but blazed over with just Sullivan to beat.

Rover’s best chance of the half came after James Coppinger turned Souza and sprinted towards Muller but the midfielder dragged his effort wide of the target.

The Reds finally broke the stalemate on 42 minutes with a 6-yard strike from Jon Macken. The former Preston man had been working hard up-front and was rewarded with a goal after being found in the box by Anderson’s clever pass.

The second half was very much what the Reds had come to expect from Rovers, the home side were set to throw eveything at Barnsley in the second period.

But it was the Tykes who had a great chance to double their advantage just two minutes after the restart.

Striker, Iain Hume, did wonderfully well to charge down Mills’ clearance on the left, the striker then whipped in a wonderful cross for Devaney to head at goal. Luckily for Rovers, substitute defender Sam Hird was on hand to clear off the line.

Martin Woods appeared to have levelled the score just before the hour mark when his cross-come-shot of a free-kick seemed destined for the corner of Muller’s net, but Dennis Souza was yet again on hand to hack the danger clear.

O’Driscoll’s men didn’t have their shooting boots on with both Guy and Price blazing relatively easy opportunities wide of the mark.

Barnsley were reluctant to charge foward with five men sitting in midfield, making it all too easy for Rovers to press the Tyke’s backline.

Heinz Muller then seemed to defy the laws of physics with just over five minutes remaining. A looping cross found Guy free in the area, Muller somehow managed to block his 3-yard effort with the goal gaping.

Despite having huffed and puffed for most of the second half, Alan Wiley brought the game to an end for a miserable Donny outfit.

It was Barnsley’s first away win of the season, and confidence is high going into Saturday’s trip to The Valley to face Charlton on Saturday.

Teams:

Doncaster Rovers: Sullivan, O’Connor, Roberts, Mills, Van Nieuwstadt (Hird 24), Coppinger, Woods, Wilson (Hayter 73), Guy (Heffernan 73), Price, Elliott.
Subs: Byfield, Taylor.

Barnsley: Muller, Foster, Souza, Moore, Kozluk, Campbell-Ryce, Anderson, Colace, Devaney (Hassell 79), Hume (Odejayi 79), Macken (Mostto 87).
Subs: Leon, Rigters.

Attendance: 13,251
Following Supporters: 3,151

Referee: Alan Wiley
Assistant Referee: S. Proctor-Greem
Assistant Referee: G. Turner
Fourth Official: T. Kettle