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Doncaster Rovers
FA Cup | Third Round
Jan 9, 2016 at 3pm UK
 
Stoke logo

1-2

Tyson (25')
FT(HT: 1-1)
Crouch (15'), Walters (57')

Live Commentary: Doncaster Rovers 1-2 Stoke City - as it happened

Relive Sports Mole live updates of the FA Cup third-round tie between Doncaster Rovers and Stoke City at the Keepmoat Stadium.
2

Stoke City booked their place in the fourth round of the FA Cup thanks to a hard-fought 2-1 victory over Doncaster Rovers.

Peter Crouch opened the scoring in the 15th minute, but Doncaster's determination paid off when Nathan Tyson struck 10 minutes later.

Despite creating numerous chances, it was Stoke who took advantage when Jonathan Walters scored from outside the box to give the visitors a 2-1 lead and eventual win.

Discover how the game unfolded in Sports Mole's minute-by-minute text coverage below.


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Hello everyone! After a hectic run of league matches over the festive period, now it's time for the cup games. We have a packed FA Cup schedule for you this afternoon and right here, we will be focusing on the third-round fixture between League One Doncaster Rovers and Premier League side Stoke City at the Keepmoat Stadium.

Mark Hughes's Stoke side have not travelled to South Yorkshire in the greatest of form, if you count their last two results. They were beaten 2-1 by West Bromwich Albion and then suffered a 1-0 loss to Liverpool at the Britannia in the first leg of the Capital One Cup semi-final. Prior to those games, they were on a decent run of form, and they have the chance to get back on track this afternoon.

Doncaster know that they are not expected to win today as on paper, with Stoke being two leagues above them, it should be a routine away win, but when has that been the case in the FA Cup? Last night we witnessed League Two Exeter City hold a much-changed Liverpool side to a 2-2 draw in Devon. So, any lower league side taking on a Premier League outfit will be boosted by that result. Right, before we go any further, let's bring you the starting lineups for each side...

DONCASTER XI: Stuckmann; McCullogh, Alcock, Butler, Taylor-Sinclair, Evina; Middleton, Keegan, Grant; Tyson, Williams
Subs: Marosi, Chaplow, MacKenzie, Whitehouse, Lund, Main, Davies

STOKE XI: Haugaard; Bardsley, Shawcross, Wollscheid, Wilson; Van Ginkel, Adam; Walters, Joselu, Diouf; Crouch
Subs: Butland, Whelan, Johnson, Odemwingie, Sidwell, Teixeira, Shenton

Mark Hughes said that he was going to ring the changes for this game and he has certainly done so. Jakob Haugaard, Phil Bardsley, Marc Wilson, Marco van Ginkel, Charlie Adam, Jonathan Walters, Joselu, Mame Biram Diouf and Peter Crouch have all come into the first XI, while goalkeeper Jack Butland, Glen Johnson and Glenn Whelan have been dropped to the bench. Erik Pieters, Geoff Cameron, Marco Arnautovic Ibrahim Afellay, Xherdan Shaqiri and Bojan Krcic all started against Liverpool in midweek, but they have not been included in the squad this afternoon.

Haugaard has been handed a rare start in goal and he will be protected by a back four of Bardsley, Ryan Shawcross, Philipp Wollscheid and Wilson. Chelsea loanee Van Ginkel will take his place in midfield alongside Adam, while Walters, Joselu, Diouf will provide support for lone striker Crouch.


As for the hosts, Darren Ferguson has made just one change from the team that beat Southend United 3-0 on January 2. Harry Middleton comes into the midfield, replacing James Coppinger, who is out of the squad altogether this afternoon.

Thorsten Stuckmann will take his place in goal, while Luke McCullogh, Craig Alcock, Andy Butler, Aaron Taylor-Sinclair and Cedric Evina make up a back five. Middleton, Paul Keegan and Conor Grant, who is on loan from Everton, will sit in the middle of the park, with Nathan Tyson and Andy Williams providing the attacking threat.

Someone's excited...


As mentioned, prior to Stoke's last two results, Hughes's side were impressing on the pitch by taking out Manchester United and Everton back to back. The Potters added to United's already frustrating season by sealing a 2-0 win at the Britannia before edging to an entertaining 4-3 victory over Everton at Goodison Park. In December, they also snatched a 2-0 triumph over Premier League title contenders Manchester City.

Stoke have also taken points off Tottenham Hotspur, Leicester City, Chelsea and Southampton this season and they are currently in a healthy position in the league table - 10th after 20 games and just four points behind fifth-placed Manchester United. Considering how many teams are vying for a European spot, Stoke are unlikely to edge past some of their competitors, so perhaps going for a cup should be a high priority. They are already in the semi-finals of the Capital One Cup, but their history in the FA Cup has not been the best.

Stoke have only reached the final once and that was in the 2010-11 season when they were beaten 1-0 by Manchester City. Prior to that campaign, they reached the semi-finals three times in 1899, 1971 and 1972, but they did not progress any further. In the seasons after they lost in the final to City, their best finish was the quarter-final stage in the 2011-12 campaign when they lost 2-1 to Liverpool. Last season, they were knocked out of the competition in the fifth round by Blackburn Rovers, who sealed a 4-1 win. In total, the Potters have won 126 FA Cup matches, drawn 89 and lost 123.

Ahead of the game, Hughes told Stoke's official website: "We just want to get the job done. We're one of the ties that people, apart from Stoke fans, may be looking for a possible upset because it's Premier League against lower league opposition. It's up to make sure that doesn't happen.

"It's a competition that I really enjoyed as a player and as a manager I got to a couple of semi-finals and we're really looking forward to the game at Doncaster."

Mark 'Bah Humbug' Hughes watches on during the game between Manchester United and Stoke City on December 26, 2015© Getty Images


At the moment, though, Stoke's priorities may lie in the transfer market and in there determination to keep hold of Marko Arnautovic. Reports emerged earlier this week claiming that the winger has rejected a new contract at the Britannia Stadium. The 26-year-old Austrian has been a vital part of Stoke's impressive form and he is their leading scorer with seven goals. According to The Guardian, though, Arnautovic's camp want more money than the club is currently offering in an improved contract.

However, Hughes is confident that the winger, who has 18 months left on his current deal, will put pen to paper on fresh terms.

On Thursday, the Stoke boss told reporters: "As with all negotiations, usually agents go in high, we go in low and somewhere in the future, we find some middle ground and it gets done.

"That's what is happening with Marko's situation. Negotiations are ongoing and we're very hopeful that Marko will be a big part of what we do going forward."

Marko Arnautovic celebrates scoring Stoke's second against Manchester United on December 26, 2015© Getty Images


Another potential transfer target that has been doing the rounds this week is West Bromwich Albion forward Saido Berahino. On Friday, manager Tony Pulis admitted that things are "bubbling behind the scenes" with regards to a possible January transfer for the England Under-21 international. Several clubs are believed to be interested in signing the striker, and Stoke could be one of them.

It has been reported that the Potters are willing to break the bank for Berahino, which would mean paying more than the £12m that they handed over to Inter Milan for Xherdan Shaqiri. Stoke have a number of big names in their squad, such as Shaqiri, Ibrahim Afellay and Bojan Krkic, could Berahino be next?

Saido Berahino sits on the bench prior to the game between West Brom and Stoke on January 2, 2016© Getty Images


Right, let's turn our attention to Doncaster shall we? The Rovers are currently 11th in the League One table, six points adrift of a playoff place after 25 games. Darren Ferguson's side have picked up 10 points from a possible 15 in December, having secured wins over Crewe Alexandra, Oldham Athletic and Southend United. Doncaster earned a point off Burton Albion, but slumped to a 1-0 defeat to Scunthorpe United on Boxing Day.

Ferguson's side have scored five goals in their last two matches and have conceded two in their last three fixtures. As far as cup runs go, they have not had the best this season so far. They were dumped out of the League Cup in the second round due to a 4-1 loss to Ipswich and they also didn't get past the second round in the Jonhstone's Paint Trophy as they were beaten 2-0 by York City. They have, however, started their FA Cup campaign off well with victories over Stalybridge and Cambridge United.

Ferguson, who is the son of legendary former Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson, spoke to The Independent ahead of the tie.

He said: "I think it is a great tie, though.It has come at the right time, having overcome a banana skin against Stalybridge and then a really tough game against Cambridge in the first two rounds.

"You always look for a Premier League team at home and it will be a full house, but it is important to do ourselves justice in order to get some of those additional fans back for the league games."

Darren Ferguson, the manager of Peterborough United looks on ahead of the Sky Bet League One match between Peterborough United and Port Vale at London Road Stadium on September 6, 2014© Getty Images


Since 2000, Doncaster's best finish in the FA Cup has been the fourth round, which they reached twice - once in the 2008-09 season when they were beaten 3-1 by Aston Villa in a replay and again in the following campaign when they suffered a 1-0 defeat to Derby County. Last season, the team failed to progress past the third-round stage. They managed to earn themselves a replay, but they were beaten 2-0 by Bristol City.

PREDICTION: We're just minutes away from kickoff now, so it's prediction time! Stoke have made nine changes to the team, but they're still a strong side. While Doncaster have the advantage of playing in front of a home crowd, the Potters should have just enough to see this game through and grab a place in the fourth round of the FA Cup.

The two teams have made their way onto the pitch. Only two minutes until we get underway!

KICKOFF! Doncaster get the game underway, kicking right to left.

It's a bright start from Doncaster as they are immediately on the frontfoot. Tyson wriggles away from his marker on the left before swinging the ball into the box. It's cleared, but falls to the feet of Evina, who goes for goal, but the Stoke keeper easily gets hands on it.

Stoke get a chance to make something happen in these early stages as they win a free kick from 25 yards out. Adam takes it, but it goes straight into the wall. Van Ginkel picks the ball up and plays it back to Adam. The midfielder crosses into the box, but it's easily cleared.

Stoke play the ball around the middle of the park before trying to free up Diouf on the wing, Middleton stops the Stoke player in his tracks, but he gets penalised for it. The free kick is taken and the ball drops in the bench, but none of the Stoke players threaten on goal.

Wilson drives towards the byline and eventually crosses high into the area. The keeper looks to have it covered and he manages to get a touch on the ball to push it over the bar for a corner, which comes to nothing.

Stoke get another corner kick and it's swung in by Adam. Crouch wins it in the box, but the ball bounces down and is hooked away by Keegan.

Oh dear, Bardsley - what a soft corner to give away! The ball comes in off a throw-in and it bounces off the Stoke defender behind for a corner. Luckily for the Stoke man, it comes to nothing.

Both teams have started with attacking intent, but neither goalkeeper has been seriously tested as yet. Bardsley charges into the box and cuts it square to Joselu, who cannot get a shot away. The ball is eventually played out to Walters, but Doncaster's closing down pays off and they nick the ball back.

Doncaster have done well off the ball by pressing high and trying not to give the Stoke player's a moment's peace on the ball. In contrast, Stoke have allowed the hosts to have a lot of space, particularly down the flanks.

GOAL! DONCASTER 0-1 STOKE (CROUCH)

The Potters have administered the first blow and it's Peter Crouch who has taken it! Joselu gets the ball out wide and swings in a lovely cross into the 18-yard box. Two Doncaster defenders try to get to the ball first, but Crouch gets a slight touch from close range to knock the ball into the back of the net.

Doncaster need to respond, but at the moment, Stoke look comfortable with their lead. They've pretty much had the ball since going one goal to the good. Crouch goes for glory with a long-range 35-yard attempt, but misses the target by a fair distance and the ball trickles wide.

It's all Stoke at the minute. They're knocking the ball around the box comfortably before eventually freeing up Wilson, who delivers a cross, but it's too high and misses his teammates in the area. Doncaster just can't seem to get on the ball.

Oooh that was a very close offside call. Wollschied sends a through ball to Walters, who would be one on one with the goalkeeper, but the forward is slightly offside.

CHANCE! Doncaster get some joy on the ball and search for an equaliser. Williams gets the ball in the box and hammers a shot at goal, but the ball goes right to Haugaard.

The home side get another corner and it's whipped in and aimed at the near post, but Haugaard is there again to save.

GOAL! DONCASTER 1-1 STOKE (TYSON)

Game on! Doncaster have levelled at the Keepmoat Stadium through Nathan Tyson. McCullogh storms through the middle of the park and charges into the box before squaring it to Tyson, whose first shot is saved by the keeper, but he follows it up and scrambles the ball into the back of the net.

Well, that's certainly lifted the crowd! The goal seems to have frustrated Stoke as they have given the ball away cheaply and Wollschied and Williams almost come to blows after the Doncaster player tackled his opponent from behind. The referee opts to give the pair a warning rather than issue a card.

Replays show, though, that Wollschied was lucky not to be punished as he raised his hands to Williams after the tackle. It doesn't seem as though the referee spotted that.

BOOKINGS! Oh dear, what is Wollscheid doing?! The defender is clearly rattled as he shoves one opponent to the ground before coming across Tyson's body and he goes down too! The Stoke man is visibly angry as he receives a yellow card. Tyson also goes into the book for arguing with the referee.

Doncaster are playing with much more confidence now after finding the equaliser and they know that they've rattled Stoke. Bardsley proves that by nervously turning the ball behind for a corner, which comes to nothing.

SAVE! Out of nowhere Stoke come close to taking the lead again as Walters holds the ball up well in the box, before knocking it across to Diouf, who swings a shot towards goal, but the keeper drops down to his left to save.

At the other end, Doncaster hoof the ball up field to Williams, who is on his own up there. Wilson does well to stop the forward in his tracks. He nicks the ball off him and clears.

BOOKING! A second Stoke player gets cautioned. Van Ginkel goes into the box for a foul.

Adam has proved before that he is capable of scoring from the halfway line (remember, Chelsea fans?). Well, he goes for something spectacular, but his attempt fails to trouble the keeper as it sky rockets into the stands.

The game is a bit stop-start at the moment due to silly fouls being given away. Stoke's concentration has waned slightly as they have sent in numerous diagonal balls. It looks as though we will be entering the half-time break at 1-1.

Oh dear, what a waste from Diouf! The attacker picks up the ball in the 18-yard box from Joselu. He has space to unleash a shot, but he takes too many touches and the ball eventually gets away from him.

HALF-TIME: DONCASTER 1-1 STOKE

Well, it's been an entertaining half as we enter the break all square at 1-1. Doncaster stormed out of the blocks, but were dealt a blow when Peter Crouch scored from close range to give Stoke a 1-0 lead. Ten minutes later Nathan Tyson struck in his second attempt to equalise. The visitors were rattled after conceding, but they found their feet again and it was a much more open game in the closing stages of the first half. We'll be back for the second half shortly!

RESTART! Stoke get us underway for the second half. Will there be a winner or does a replay at the Britannia Stadium await us?

Well, I think Stoke are determined to get the win judging by the first move of the second half. The Potters surge forward and the ball falls to Adam, who unleashes a left-footed shot outside of the box, but it flies over the crossbar.

Williams wins a free kick in a dangerous position after Shawcross brings him down. The Stoke skipper gets on the wrong side of the forward. Doncaster opt against sending the ball into the box as they play it short, but it doesn't come off.

CLOSE! Grant is inches wide from giving Doncaster the lead! Evina shows his pace as he storms towards the left corner of the box. He squares the ball to Grant, who unleashes a low drive towards the bottom corner, but it just bobbles wide.

It's been a good start to the second half from Doncaster, but they have a concern as Middleton goes down holding his ribs. The midfielder receives treatment and manages to get to his feet and continue.

Penalty to Doncaster?! The referee says no! The ball is crossed into the box and headed on towards Alcock, who falls to the ground seemingly clipped by a Stoke player, but it's not given. Replays show that the referee made the right decision.

SAVE AND A MISS! Wow, what a chance for Stoke. Adam charges through the field and plays it out wide to Walters, who crosses in to find Diouf. The forward's attempt is stopped by the keeper, but it only falls as far as Crouch, whose close-range shot skies over the bar.

GOAL! DONCASTER 1-2 STOKE (WALTERS)

Wow, what a strike from Walters! The goalkeeper could get nowhere near it! The chance actually stemmed from Stuckmann's mistake as his clearance is poor. The ball bounces off a Doncaster defender and into the path of Crouch, who goes for a shot, but it's blocked and falls into the path of Walters. He makes no mistake as he thumps it into the top left corner from outside of the box.

STOKE SUB: Bardsley makes way for Johnson. It seems as though the defender has a slight niggle.

BOOKING! Cynical from Walters as he brings down his opponent from behind to get himself into the book.

Stoke may have taken the lead, but Doncaster are showing great resilience. They haven't let their heads go down and continue to search for another equaliser.

CHANCE! As mentioned, Doncaster are refusing to give up. They are piling pressure in Stoke's half. They are awarded a corner, but it's not cleared by Stoke as the ball falls to Alcock outside of the box. He drills a shot towards goal, but he just misses the target.

STOKE SUB: The visitors make their second change of the game as Crouch makes way for Whelan. It looks as though the Potters just want to hold on to their lead.

Stoke go on the break and they pose huge danger to Doncaster. Diouf gets the ball into the box and sends a low cross towards Joselu, who gets his feet in a muddle and the chance goes missing.

It's end to end at the moment, but Stoke look the more shaky in defence! Johnson gives away a needless corner just minutes after coming off the bench. Fortunately for the defender, Doncaster fail to make the most of it.

CHANCE! Walters wastes his chance to finish the game off! Adam swings the ball into the box and it falls to Walters, who charges towards the near post. The cross is quick, though, and the striker is unable to connect well and the ball flies high over the ball.

DONCASTER SUBS: The home side make a double change as Taylor-Sinclair and Keegan make way for Main and Chaplow.

Adam goes for glory again, but it hasn't been his day with regards to scoring chances as his latest attempt misses the target and soars above the bar.

Doncaster still look comfortable and confident on the ball, but they are struggling to find a way through. Most chances that they get have ended up in wayward shots.

Van Ginkel tries to add to the scoreline as he charges towards the box. He unleashes the ball on the outside of the area, but it trickles wide.

OFF THE BAR! Butler comes close as he attempts a looping header at goal, but it just bounces off the bar and back into the field of play. The keeper looked to have it covered, though.

BOOKING! Oh dear, it's handbags from players and staff! Wollscheid lets the ball get away from him and it bobbles into the technical area. He goes to retrieve it and as he's running at pace he bumps into Ferguson. Grant doesn't take too kindly to that and pushes the Stoke defender to the ground! The referee issues a yellow card to the Everton loanee.

STOKE SUB: Adam leaves the pitch and Sidwell takes his place.

DONCASTER SUB: The hosts make their final change as Middleton comes off for MacKenzie.

We're reaching the closing stages of this fixture and anything could happen at this stage! Main does well to break away and play in Tyson into the area, but the forward fails to get much power on the shot and the goalkeeper grabs the ball.

MISS! Oh my, what a chance for Doncaster! The ball is whipped into the box and finds the head of MacKenzie, who nods the ball down to Tyson. All the forward has to do is nudge it into the net, but his attempt loops over the bar.

While Stoke have shown enough to win this game, it would be unfortunate for Doncaster to end as losers. They've proved that as a League One side they can more than match a Premier League team.

MISS! Was that the moment? The ball is whipped into the area. Butler chases it down and is inches away from becoming the hero, but his header from four yards out goes over the bar.

FULL-TIME: DONCASTER 1-2 STOKE CITY

So there we have it. Stoke have booked a place in the fourth round of the FA Cup thanks to goals from Peter Crouch and Jonathan Walters. It was not plain sailing for Mark Hughes's side as they were made to work for their 2-1 win. Nathan Tyson gave Doncaster the chance to cause an upset when he equalised before the half-time break, but despite their numerous chances, the League One side were unable to get the win they needed. That's all from us! Thank you for joining us and until next time, goodbye!

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Stoke City's Austrian striker Marko Arnautovic celebrates after scoring the opening goal of the English Premier League football match between Stoke City and Chelsea at the Britannia Stadium in Stoke-on-Trent, central England on November 7, 2015.
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