PREVIEW: Barnsley Vs Doncaster Rovers

23 November 2018

The Reds welcome Rovers to Oakwell in a South Yorkshire derby clash this weekend, and we've got it covered here with our big match preview.

After making it three consecutive Sky Bet League One victories last time out in Accrington, Daniel Stendel's Reds side head into the clash with local rivals Doncaster full of confidence.

Not only was it a third win in succession, Barnsley also registered a third clean sheet on the bounce in the victory at the Wham Stadium, despite losing left back Zeki Fryers to a second booking, with 30 minutes of the game still to play.

With Cauley Woodrow notching his second goal in as many league starts for the Reds, his partnership with fellow goalscorer Kieffer Moore has got off to a fine start and they'll be looking to fire Stendel's side to a fourth win on the spin at Oakwell on Saturday.

That 2-0 win over Stanley was the Reds' 10th in Sky Bet League One so far this season, making it their best start to a league campaign since the 1999/2000 season where Barnsley also registered 10 wins by mid-November, in a year that saw them reach Wembley in the playoff final, ultimately losing out on promotion to Ipswich Town.

With that dismissal against Accrington, Fryers will sit out this weekend. In terms of others unavailable for selection, it's merely the long-term absentees in midfielder Kenny Dougall (ankle) and Jack Walton (knee) that will be missing when Rovers arrive this weekend.

Skipper, Adam Davies is back from international duty, with emergency loanee Jordan Smith returning to parent club Nottingham Forest following his debut clean sheet last weekend.

Assistant Head Coach, Andreas Winkler previewed the derby in midweek when he faced the assembled media at Oakwell. You can get his thoughts by watching the video on iFollow Barnsley.

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Having signed a contract extension this week, the influential Alex Mowatt was also on press duty and with that contract news as well as this weekend seeing him up against his hometown club, the midfield man had plenty to talk about. Watch his full interview on iFollow Barnsley.

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Our visitors from the Keepmoat Stadium arrive on the back of a 7-0 thumping of Chorley FC in an Emirates FA Cup replay during midweek. A 2-1 home win against Wimbledon last weekend was also timely for Rovers. They'd previously lost five of their last seven league fixtures and had slipped out of the playoff places.

Former Reds midfield man Grant McCann was supposedly in the running for the top job at Oakwell this summer gone, but he got back into management at today’s visitors and near-neighbours.

As well as counting the Reds as a former club, Northern Ireland international McCann had greater success with both Cheltenham and Peterborough United. The latter proved to be his first managerial home, spending 2015 to 2018 as Head Coach at London Road before taking up the reins at The Keepmoat this past summer.

Grant McCann

Forwards John Marquis and Alfie May have been in fine goalscoring form for Doncaster so far this season, with 20 goals notched between them already.

The experienced Andy Butler marshalls the Rovers rearguard with the evergreen James Coppinger now into his 14th campaign at the club and still a shining light in their midfield.

Currently sitting in 8th position in the Sky Bet League One table, Rovers remain six points behind the Reds having also played a game extra.

The last time both sides met at Oakwell, it was in this same division, back in 2016 when an Ashley Fletcher strike was enough to see the Reds to a crucial 1-0 victory in a campaign thay saw Barnsley finish in the playoffs and earn promotion back to the second tier.

Ashley Fletcher

If you are unable to attend the game on Saturday, you can always tune into iFollow Barnsley for live commentary from 2:50pm!

Match Reports

REPORT: Barnsley 1 - 1 Doncaster Rovers

24 November 2018

An instant impact from substitute Cauley Woodrow ensures honours end even in an enthralling South Yorkshire derby at Oakwell.

Having made four changes to his starting lineup, Daniel Stendel rotated his squad and was boosted by the return of skipper, Adam Davies, from international duty.

Mike Bähre and Ryan Hedges also returned to the starting eleven, whilst Dani Pinillos replaced the suspended Zeki Fryers.

The first half flattered to deceive as both sides battled continuously without forcing much out of either goalkeeper.

Having started the game well, the best chance of the half fell to Rovers just eight minutes in. James Coppinger cut inside his man and curled an effort on to Adam Davies’ crossbar.

The Reds had their best chances fall to Kieffer Moore, the first a header which went narrowly wide of Ian Lawlor’s left-hand post. Moore continued to press and in the final ten minutes of the first half was almost played through on goal by Bähre, but was denied following a superb last-ditch tackle by Niall Mason.

With physicality playing a huge part of the opening forty-five, neither side could gain control of the game and it was goalless at the break.

Half Time: Reds 0-0 Doncaster Rovers

As the second half got underway the game burst in to life and a strong challenge on Alex Mowatt from Rovers midfielder Herbie Kane set the tone for the second.

It took just seven minutes of the second half for the visitors to open the scoring. James Coppinger swung the ball in from the right-hand side after and the aforementioned Kane nodded home from close range.

Daniel Stendel wasted little time in looking to his substitutes bench and the hour mark saw the introduction of both George Moncur and Cauley Woodrow, they replaced Cameron McGeehan and Dani Pinillos.

And it was Woodrow who made an instant impact just two minutes after being brought on to the field. Doncaster made a mess of clearing a Bähre free kick allowing Dimitri Cavaré to help the ball back in to the box and give Woodrow the simple task of poking home from six yards out.

The game began to stretch as both sides pushed for a winner, the Reds came closest when Kieffer Moore headed over at the far post following a Ryan Hedges corner.

Rovers had chances to win the game but lacked the composure to find the back of the net. The first came when Alfie May skied an effort having been played clean through by John Marquis.

However, it would be the last kick of the game that would see them go closest. It was roles reversed as goal scorer Kane squared the ball to Coppinger who’s goal bound effort was superbly stopped by Davies and as the ball was cleared up the pitch, the referee blew the full-time whistle.

The Reds now make it seven games unbeaten and head in to Tuesday’s game against Sunderland with the chance to go second in Sky Bet League One.

Full Time: Reds 1-1 Doncaster Rovers

REDS: Davies (GK), Cavaré, Pinnock, Lindsay, Pinillos, Potts, Mowatt, McGeehan, Moore, Hedges, Bähre.

Subs: Greatorex (GK), B.Williams, Moncur, Brown, Woodrow, Adeboyejo, Thiam.

ROVERS: Lawlor (GK), Mason, Andrew, Butler, Whiteman, Marquis, Crawford, Kane, Blair, Coppinger, May.

Subs: Marosi (GK), Wilks, Rowe, Beestin, Taylor, Anderson, Blaney.

BARNSLEY FOOTBALL CLUB

Standings

PREVIEW: Barnsley Vs Doncaster Rovers

REPORT: Barnsley 1 - 1 Doncaster Rovers