Barnsley 2-5 Doncaster Rovers

A word to Andy Ritchie: Never ever play Neil Austin, Antony Kay, Bobby Hassell and Robbie Williams as your defensive quartet again.

These four were made to look like schoolboys as Doncaster led by Jonathan Forte proceeded (especially in the second half) to rip them apart.

To be fair The Reds played particularly well in the opening 45 minutes although there were danger signs as the defence looked suspect everytime Rovers foraged forward.

Barnsley took an early lead though six minutes in as the first of three own goals (which now makes it 5 in the last 4 meetings) came along.

Marc Richards who started in place of Daniel Nardiello played a ball across which Steve Foster turned past THIRD choice keeper Barry Richardson.

The Reds had ample chances then to increase the lead with Hayes striking a post and then been denied by Richardson.

As usual though missed chances are frequently punished at Oakwell and the equlaiser duly arrived after 39 minutes.

Neil Austin was harshly penalised for a tug and former Red Dave Mulligan whipped over the freekick that Lewis Guy nodded past Scott Flinders.

Half-time 1-1 and no sign of the second half capitulation that was to come.

In fact Barnsley started the second half bright but moves broke down once the edge of the area was reached as the players went looking for one more pass instead of having a go which infuriated the diehards who had come along in cold conditions.

Doncaster then finally seized the lead after 72 minutes.

Antony Kay who was making his first appearance since being sent off in the league fixture scored the 2nd own goal of the night.

Forte did Austin all ends up before driving the ball across goal where Kay turned it past a startled Flinders.

From then on the floodgates opened and you knew it would be a case of how many.

The third goal arrived 7 minutes later.

Guy danced around the laughable defence to race through.

3 Doncaster players lined up as Guy slipped the ball across Flinders and Richard Offiong was the one that tapped it over the line.

The Rovers fans behind the goal (quite a good number for an LDV game) were loving every minute.

The fourth arrived 3 minutes later.

Robbie Williams was caught in possession and Offiong raced away before tee-ing off Fortune-West who's effort was knocked over the line by Austin (another making their first appearance since being sent off in the league fixture)

Both Kay and Austin had been booed by the travelling support when their names were read out at the start of the match. Now they were being cheered.

The embarrassing FIFTH arrived just 4 minutes later.

Guy burst passed the static defence before beating the unfortunate Flinders who didn't deserve such a shambolic defence in front of him.

There was still time for sub Nardiello to pull it back to 5-2 in the final minute. Even his shot took a slight deflection before curling past Richardson.

The worst thing is we can't even say " oh well at least so and so won't be playing Saturday" as the likely hood is they probably will be.

Matt Carbon will possibly return but without Reid this defence is as strong as sand.

Southend will be licking their lips.

Player Ratings:

Scott Flinders: Saved the defence in the first half but was left terrible exposed as Rovers ran riot second half. 6

Neil Austin: Tormented the whole match by Forte and even gave Rovers their fourth. 4

Bobby Hassell: Handed the captains armband in the absence of Reid and McPhail (albeit Macca was on the bench) Defintly not a leader. Gone are the displays which made him our best defender last term. Showing signs of his shaky start when he first arrived. 4

Antony Kay: His own goal gave Rovers the lead and opened the floodgates. Couldn’t handle Fortune-West's strength. 4

Robbie Williams: Tormented by Lewis Guy and caught in possession for the fourth and his early season form has evaporated fast. 4

Chris Shuker. Tried his best but was at fault for trying to pass when it was better to shoot. 6

Brian Howard: One of the better performers in the second half. Always willing to fight for the ball. 7

Jacob Burns: if there’s one man you can count on its Burns. Again never gave up. Should definitely be skipper when Reid and McPhail aren’t around. Subbed. 7

Martin Devaney: I’m sick of talking about him being played on the left so I wont. 4

Paul Hayes: Extremely lively first half and unlucky on two occasions. Didn’t see much of the ball second 45 as Rovers ran riot. 7

Marc Richards. Got his second lucky goal in a week. Was good in the air. Impressed alongside Hayes. 6


Substitutes:
Daniel Nardiello (for Burns 78 mins) Livened up the attack when he came on. Unlucky to be caught offside for one goal but got his reward at the end.
Big surprise was that more subs weren't used.

Man of the Match: Brian Howard, just ahead of Burns.

LDV Vans First Round Results Tuesday 18th October 2005

Northern and Southern Sections: ( *ET = Extra Time)

Barnet 3-2 Bristol City

Barnsley 2-5 Doncaster

Blackpool 4-3 Wrexham ( After ET*)

Bournemouth 4-1 Aldershot

Brentford 1-1 Oxford United ( Oxford won 4-3 on pens)

Camebridge Utd 3-0 Chester

Gilliingham 2-0 Crawley Town ( After ET*)

Grimsby 1-1 Morecambe ( Morecambe won 4-3 on pens)

Halifax 6-1 Bury

Kidderminster 2-1 Darlington

Leyton Orient 2-0 Yeovil

Macclesfield 2-0 Chesterfield

Mansfield 0-1 Hereford

MK Dons 3-2 Exeter City

Northampton 5-2 Notts County

Oldham 1-1 Carlisle ( Carlisle won 6-5 on pens)

Peterborough 2-1 Bristol Rovers ( After ET*)

Rochdale 3-1 Stockport County

Rotherham 3-3 Accrington Stanley ( Rotherham won 3-2 on pens)

Rushden and Diamonds 1-0 Southend ( Hopefully a good result for us)

Scunthorpe 1-0 Hartlepool

Shrewsbury 0-2 Cheltenham

Swindon 2-0 Stevenage

Torquay 1-3 Swansea

Tranmere 2-1 Lincoln City

Woking 3-2 Nottingham Forest

Wycombe 2-1 Dagenham and Redbridge ( After ET*)


Next Up:

On The Road: Southend United v Barnsley Saturday 22nd October 2005 Kick-off 3pm

Rotherham United v Barnsley Tuesday 25th October 2005 Kick-Off 7:45pm

At Oakwell: Barnsley v Walsall Saturday 29th October 2005 Kick-Off 3pm ( Note: Any children under ten can watch this match for free when accompanied by a paying adult)

Brian Howard: Man of the Match on an abject night