Keepmoat Debacle

If only the floodlights had failed earlier at the Keepmoat, unfortunately the travelling fans from Bradford had to witness a ninety minute nightmare.

Stuart McCall made wholesale changes to the team defeated at Barnet on Saturday, but little went right for the youngsters of Bradford who were totally outclassed by a very strong Doncaster side.

The Johnstones Paint Trophy might not be at the top of everyone’s list of season priorities but supporters who travel to these games expect their team to put up a fight, but after Doncaster forward Mark McGammon gave Rovers the lead after 16 minutes with a free header, City just stopped playing with any purpose.

Doncaster increased their advantage again after some good build up play from James O’Conner which was finished off in fine style by live-wire Lewis Guy.

Doncasters relentless onslaught paid dividends again just before half time when McCammon scored his second of the evening.

Half Time Doncaster 3 Bradford 0

City made three substitutions for the second half. The ineffective Conlon,Phelan and Ainge were hauled off to be replaced by O’Brien, Joynes and Thorne who was by far the best of this trio.

It didn’t take Doncaster long before they hit the target again this time ex Rotherham man Martin Woods was the happy recipient.

City did manage to find the net as ironic cheers greeted a well struck Kyle Nix free kick but it was no more than scant consolation from such an inept team performance.

Seven minutes passed before Rovers added to their goal tally with the final goal of the night and how fitting just to make matters worse City player Tom Harban thumped an unstoppable volley past young keeper Saynor.

The floodlights went out prematurely on the final whistle and disgruntled City fans vented their frustrations verbally towards the team.The horror show was finally over

Final Score Doncaster 5 Bradford 1

Player Ratings

Ben Saynor 6
Tough Debut but stopped the score from reaching double figures.

Tom Harban 5
Great Volley

Simon Ainge 3
Not at the races.

Matt Clarke 7
Solid Performance

Paul Heckingbottom 5
Out of position on several occasions.

Joe Colbeck 5
Same old Joe plenty of running no end product.

Craig Bentham 4
Invisible for long periods of the game.

Scott Phelan 5
Subdued performance.

Sean Taylforth 6
Live wire first half, quiet second half.

Kyle Nix 6
Good goal from free kick.

Barry Conlon 4
Poor performance deserved to be brought off.

Luke O’Brien 4
Never got to grips with Lewis Guy’s pace.

Nathan Joynes 4
Little impact up front.
Ring rusty but put more effort in than most of his fellow professionals.