Doncaster Rovers finally end their winless run, but...
DONCASTER Rovers finally ended their winless run this week - but Rotherham United's FA Cup jinx continues after they were dumped out of the competition by Aldershot in a first round replay on Tuesday night.
The Millers' run of misfortune in the competition is now approaching nine years, with their last win coming in January 2002 when they beat then-Premiership Southampton in the third round.
Giant killings in the Carling Cup and Johnstones Paint Trophy failed to transfer to the oldest football competition in the world as Rotherham fell victim to high-velocity counter attacks that after ten games in 32 days they simply did not have the legs to deal with.
A double from Kirk Hudson who then turned provider for Marvin Morgan for the second of the night brought Shots at 3-0 win on a miserable night during a miserable run for The Millers. The dispatching of Leicester in the JP Trophy is the solitary win from the last seven games.
Reaching zero points proved rather simple for Rotherham, advancing as far away as possible from that is proving much more taxing. Banishing the 17 points penalty took nine matches, in the proceeding seven they have picked up just eight further points and Don Valley is no longer a fortress.
Picking up points from their next league clash is going to be difficult as Yorkshire rivals Bradford come to Attercliffe. While they have failed to really take League Two by the scruff of the neck as was widely predicted, The Bantams have made a solid start to their promotion campaign and look set to be there or there abouts come May.
The dark clouds may be gathering at Don Valley but they are showing signs of breaking up at the Keepmoat. Doncaster Rovers finally picked up three points at the 13th time of asking when loanee Shelton Martis headed home for a 1-0 win over Ipswich. It was probably the ugliest display among the flashy performances that Rovers have put in this season but demonstrated that grit and grind is what has been required all along.
Now it is time to show that a win is not a blip but they will have it tough when visiting high-flying Burnley on Saturday. The Clarets have teased a strong promotion push in recent seasons and seem to be delivering this time around. Owen Coyle's men have suffered just one defeat at home and have lost to just Wolves and Reading in the last 18 matches which included wins over both Chelsea and Fulham in the Carling Cup.
Barnsley put all their worries and anger over Iain Hume's shocking head injury behind them to see off Watford 2-1 at Oakwell and have moved well away from the danger zone. Five wins in the last eight games has shot them up the table and the lack of confidence has disappeared. On Saturday they face a Preston side also occupying a midtable position.Like many in the Championship, Alan Irvine's side have proved rather inconsistent this season so far and hopes of a promotion charge seem to be already fading.
Sheffield Wednesday's away day woes continued with a 3-0 defeat to Derby in a game where they rarely troubled. Home form must hold them up until their travel problems are resolved and they welcome Coventry, with one win in that last seven, to Hillsborough on Saturday.
Sheffield United finally lost their unbeaten home record in the 2-0 defeat to Reading but it was only their first defeat in the six games. The Blades will be looking to shake off the loss on the visit to struggling Charlton who have won just four of their first 17 matches and none in the last seven.
Email to a friend
Print this page
Looking for...
Featured advertisers
Jobs
Search for a job
Motors
Search for a car
Property
Search for a house
Weather for South Yorkshire
Friday 25 May 2012
Today
Sunny
Temperature: 10 C to 23 C
Wind Speed: 20 mph
Wind direction: East
Tomorrow
Sunny
Temperature: 9 C to 21 C
Wind Speed: 17 mph
Wind direction: East
