Ravens View of Doncaster

Last updated : 28 November 2006 By Mark R

I got to Haywards Heath station early Saturday morning, much earlier than planned as gave enough time to avoid the forecast fallen trees, flooded roads and anything else that the strong winds could cause!

It was raining but I don't think it had been especially windy! It meant by the time I parked up got my tickets, it was just after 6.30am so jumped on the 6.36am arriving into KXTL about 7.50am.

Plenty of time to meet the others before we got the 8.30 from KX arriving into Doncaster about 10.15am.

We headed to the Weatherspoons for a breakfast and beer. We met up with some Donny lads we know from England games. Next we moved onto the Masons Arms, then the Stag Inn near the Market.

It was a good session of beers and food. Our taxi was a little late so we go to the "Earth Stadium" about 3.05! I expected the away terrace to be full, but they had only given us 2/3rds of the terrace (far end kept empty) but I would guess at around 600 on the terrace and 250 in the seats.

It was nice to be back on terracing but the lack of roof and very very quiet home supporters didn't lead to much of an atmosphere.

The game - well the lack of football was shocking. Both sides were poor.

Doncaster had one attack and McGammon headed in a good goal after our defenders stood and watched. We huffed and puffed but created virtually nothing. We looked weak all round, Doncaster looked worse than us, but held on for a win.

I can recall very little of goal mouth action. Fraser did one great run through and pulled the ball back to an empty box, our forwards were asleep. I think we had 1 header on target but don't recall any more.

The Charlton lad replaced Fraser and looked fast and quick but was starved of the ball. Its a shame Bowditch was out injured, he adds a bit of class to our line up.

El-abd and Whing both picked up yellow cards and 5th bookings so suspended for Saturdays cup match.

Henderson - 6 nothing to do , no blame for the goal

Whing - 5 pushed forward but no end result

Hinshelwood - 5 OK

Butters - 5 as above

Lynch - 3 another poor match and he was at fault for the goal

Hammond - 5 OK

Cox - 5 as above

Fraser - 4 poor, but did create one chance but our forwards were asleep.

El-Abd - 4 not a great match

Robinson - 2 spent the entire game on the floor or appealing to the Ref for free kicks

Revell - 3 out of the game

John - 6 looked quick and keen, shame we didn't give him the ball