Back to Winning Ways

29th July - Doncaster Rovers 7-1 Sherbrooke Rangers

Goals: Trevor Bird (3), Oskar Petersson (2), Michael Kil, Ben Vernes

On Sunday, Rovers were aiming to get back to winning ways after their disappointing draw at Mooroolbark the week before. It was a welcome return to Anderson Park for a home game for the first time in four weeks and Rovers were hoping for a repeat of the corresponding away fixture when they won comfortably, 6-1.

With Dominic Curulli still ruled out, Rovers started with a 3-4-3 formation. Jarryd Pickard, Michael Kil and Marc Graziani lined up in front of Adam Bove in goal, Ben Vernes, Oskar Petersson, Karl Pimlott and Ian Branch in midfield and a front three was spearheaded by leading goalscorer Trevor Bird with Gareth Tanner and Jeffrey Xu.

Rovers started the game in positive fashion quickly winning two corners which they were unable to capitalise on. However, they didn't have to wait long to get off the mark. A quick throw from Gareth Tanner, deep in Sherbrooke territory found Oskar Petersson in space. A pass inside found Karl Pimlott who quickly released Trevor Bird who converted comfortably from close range to give Rovers a 1-0 lead.

With their confidence high, Rovers pressed forward and Gareth Tanner was unlucky to see his shot fly wide after a surging run. On 11 minutes, Rovers were awarded a corner on the right. Gareth Tanner swung the ball over to the far post where it was met with a firm header from Oskar Petersson arriving late into the box to give Rovers their second goal.

Rovers continued to dominate the game creating plenty of chances. In the 20th minute Oskar Petersson almost added a third with a thumping drive against the post and the Sherbrooke keeper saving his follow-up effort well. Minutes later Trevor Bird broke away down the right and his low cross across the six yard box just eluded Karl Pimlott, Ian Branch and Jeffrey Xu with the Sherbrooke defence nowhere.

On 30 minutes Rovers scored their third. A long throw from Gareth Tanner into the box found Trevor Bird who slipped the ball into the net past the keeper for his second of the game. Sherbrooke came back with a goal three minutes later to keep themselves in the game. After long ball out of defence, the bounce deceived the Rovers defence and the Sherbrooke striker took the ball on and drove the ball home from the edge of the box giving Adam Bove no chance.

With the first half drawing to a close, Rovers weren't finished. Another perfectly timed run by Oskar Petersson saw him arriving at the near post to meet a Gareth Tanner corner and flick it into the net for his second and Rovers' fourth. Straight from the kick-off, Rovers won the ball back, and after good work from Karl Pimlott, the ball fell to Ben Vernes, whose volley was brilliantly saved by the Sherbrooke keeper.

Half time: Rovers 4-1 Sherbrooke

Bill Vassiliou rang the changes at half-time, with Ali Sajadi slotting in at left back, Marc Graziani moving to the centre and Michael Kil moving up front to join Trevor Bird and Ashley Stevenson and Kenneth Ng lining up on the right.

The half-time coffee was still piping hot when Rovers added a fifth, Trevor Bird latching onto a through ball to complete his hat-trick with a well taken goal. A minute later, Karl Pimlott was unlucky to see his drive just clear the bar and in the 47th minutes, Rovers scored a sixth with the goal of the game. A slick passing move between Jarryd Pickard and Oskar Petersson put Michael Kil through and he finished confidently from 15 metres. Minutes later, he had the ball in the net again from close range but was adjudged offside and the goal was ruled out.

Chances continued to fall to Rovers, Ashley Stevenson shot narrowly over and Oskar Petersson had a wonderful chance to score the second hat-trick of the game. He picked the ball up on the half-way line and with Sherbrooke pushing up, knocked the ball over the top and raced clear. With the Sherbrooke keeper rushing out to narrow the angle, Petersson shot for the far post and the ball rolled agonisingly wide.

On 62 minutes a long throw from Gareth Tanner found Ian Branch in space with his back to goal. He laid it off to an inrushing Michael Kil and his shot flew just wide of the far post. A minute later he almost scored again after latching onto a pass from Gareth Tanner and again, his shot was just off target. Ian Branch then went close twice with the keeper making fine saves low to his left.
Finally, on 71 minutes, Rovers added a seventh. A throw from Gareth Tanner was headed on at the near post by Ashley Stevenson and Ben Vernes, unmarked in front of goal, calmly lifted the ball over the keeper.

With the game in the final minutes, Adam Bove had to be alert for a rare Sherbrooke chance and made a fine diving stop to prevent Sherbrooke adding a second goal. In the last minute, a layoff from Ashley Stevenson gave Gareth Tanner a chance but his shot just clipped the top of the bar.

The game ended with Rovers comfortable winners, 7-1, in confident mood for a run of games against the Division's top sides, starting next week with a visit to Ashburton.