It’s the end of a long week and we cannot be bothered to come up a better pun than that. It is no doubt possible to reach a more satisfying conclusion playing with Donny, but do refer back to the “we cannot be bothered” issue. We digress from the point of this post, a feature not too uncommon for us. But tomorrow is Doncaster Rovers away – only nine years since we last went there.
Things have changed up there. No longer is Belle Vue, now is the Keepmoat Stadium. After their return to the Football League, Donny went all the way to the Championship – something that Boro’ are keen to do themselves. It is possible you see. And our record up in Doncaster isn’t, historically, too shabby – one win, one loss and three draws. In fact, we’ve drawn 0-0 in five of our 10 meetings.
Boro’ are gunning for a fourth straight away win of the season. Victories have been hard to come by at the Lamex (before Walsallona), but away from home has been a breeze. Orient, Oldham and Coventry – can we add to it with Doncaster? It’ll be a tough ask, that’s for sure – but we’re now in the top two and it’d be very nice to stay there for a bit, if not the rest of the season. Not much to ask then.
The pertinent questions for tomorrow: Will Patrick Agyemang be given a chance? Will the 20-a-season marksman Robin Shroot (already a quarter of the way there) add to his tally? Will there be a harvest for the world? And what would’ve happened if Greg Tansey’s strike on Tuesday hadn’t hit the back of the net? Would it have made a hole in the North Terrace and kept going? Answers on a postcard…
FIFA12 Verdict:
Stevenage survived a late onslaught from the hosts to keep their remarkable away record up at the Keepmoat, with Lucas Akins’ 23rd minute strike enough to claim all three points. Boro’ were by far the dominant side during the first half, with Shroot, Freeman and Agyemang all going close. However, Donny threatened on the break and came close themselves.
After a bright start to the second period for Rovers, substitutions revitalised Boro’ and Haber came closest to a second goal in the 75th minute. But it wasn’t forthcoming and the visitors spent the remaining 10 minutes holding off waves of Doncaster attacks; none of which had much of a cutting edge, nor which troubled Chris Day. FT: Doncaster Rovers 0-1 Stevenage (Akins 23).
Bookies’ Verdict:
The bookies aren’t really sure what to make of this one. Is it for the first time this year that Boro’ are considered second favourites? The away win is 16/7 at Pinnacle – best on offer at the moment, although we’re told that is shortening. Betdaq gives you 247/100 on the draw – a 0-0 is 10/1 at Skybet. If a goal is scored, Shroot is 14s at Coral and Luke Freeman is 11s – tasty… very tasty.
Team Tarot (4-5-1):
Day //
Gray / Roberts / Ashton / Charles //
Dunne / Grant //
Akins / Shroot / Freeman //
Agyemang //
