Latics vs. Doncaster Rovers

6 October 2020

Latics continue their EFL Trophy campaign as they welcome a familiar opponent in Doncaster Rovers to Boundary Park this evening (7:45pm KO).

Harry Kewell’s side will be boosted by their spirited comeback at Colchester United that saw them draw 3-3 at the weekend.

Whilst, Rovers have made a strong start to their Sky Bet League One campaign but fell to a 1-0 defeat last time out against Wigan.

Head-to-Head

Oldham have won only nine of the 46 encounters with Doncaster.

The last time the two sides met was in the FA Cup Fourth Round in January 2019 where a late penalty from Ben Whiteman secured a 2-1 win for the hosts sending Rovers into the Fifth Round.

The last time that Latics got the better of Rovers was also in another FA Cup game back in November 2016. Goals from Ryan Flynn and Billy McKay gave Oldham a 2-1 win at Boundary Park, sending them through to the Second Round of the competition.

Group So Far

Latics currently top the group following their 4-0 win over the Wolverhampton Wanderers U21 side last month.

Rovers occupy the other qualification spot in the group after they drew with Bradford City but won the penalty shootout to take the bonus point.

Elsewhere in the group, Bradford City host Wolves' development side tonight with a 7:30pm kick-off.

Watch Out For

Madger Gomes has enjoyed a fine start to the new season.

Gomes has scored three goals so far in the Sky Bet League One campaign which makes him the joint second top scorer in the division.

The 23-year old began his career with Villareal before moving to Liverpool in 2014 but was unable to force his way into the side so moved to Leeds United in 2017.

Whilst at Elland Road, he made just one appearance which came in a 5-1 win over Newport County in the EFL Trophy.

After less than a year in England, Gomes moved to France to join Sochaux but left six months later for Croatian first division side NK Istra 1961.

Gomes made his return to English football when he signed for Doncaster in June 2019.

He has been capped at Under 15, 17 and 19 level for Spain.

Familiar Faces

Latics do have a few players that used to play their football with Donny over the years.

Current keeper Ian Lawlor is at Boundary Park on loan from Doncaster and is available for selection tonight due to an agreement by both clubs.

The shot stopper began his career with Manchester City and has since played for Barnet, Bury and Scunthorpe as well as Latics and Rovers.

With Latics favourite John Sheridan having also represented both sides. He made 164 appearances in all competitions for Oldham and has had five separate spells as manager.

Sheridan had a far less of an impact with Doncaster Rovers, making just eight appearances in his time with the club in 1998 before leaving for Boundary Park.

In The Dugout

Darren Moore is the man in the dugout for the visitors.

Moore joined Rovers in July 2019 and it is his second job in senior football management.

His previous job was with West Bromwich Albion. Moore took caretaker charge following the dismissal of Alan Pardew with the Baggies 10 points from Premier League safety.

Despite putting a good run of form together that led to Moore winning a manager of the month accolade, it was not enough to save West Brom from relegation to the Championship.

However, it was enough to earn Moore a more permanent stint in charge at the Hawthorns. Despite occupying a place in the playoff places, Moore was relieved of his duties in March 2019 and West Brom went on to get beat in the playoff semi-finals.

In Moore’s professional career he played for: Torquay United, Doncaster Rovers, Bradford City, Portsmouth, West Bromwich Albion, Derby County, Barnsley and Burton Albion whilst also turning out on three occasions for the Jamaica national team.

Match Officials

Referee - Tom Nield
Assistant Referee 1 - Steven Rushton (replacing Joe Clark)
Assistant Referee 2 - Ravel Cheosiaua
Fourth Official - Gareth Mellor

The man in the middle tonight has taken charge of five games this so far across the Carabao Cup, EFL Trophy and League One handing out 14 yellow cards.

His last Latics game was over a year ago when he officiated the 3-2 loss to Blackburn Rovers in last season's Carabao Cup.

Sky Bet Odds

Latics are priced at 2/1 to win back-to-back EFL Trophy matches whilst the visitors have been made favourites at 11/10.

It is 11/5 for the game to be sent to a penalty shootout via the game ending level in 90 minutes.

Please gamble responsibly, for more information visit: www.begambleaware.org.

How To Follow The Game

Fixture News

Fixture news for Oldham Athletic vs Doncaster Rovers on 06 Oct 20

6 October 2020

Because the game is classed as behind-closed-doors, supporters can tune into a live match stream with commentary available for all subscribers on iFollow Latics, as Roy Butterworth and Mike Leyland talk you through the action.

Supporters can also create an account by clicking here, scrolling down to 'Match Passes' and paying the £10 fee to access the stream.

Alternatively, fans can also follow the game with live updates on the club's official Twitter account: @OfficialOAFC.

Oldham Athletic would like to make it clear that all fixtures are still strictly-behind-closed doors with spectators not being allowed entry.

Extensive guidelines are in place for the safety of officials and players whilst the events are taking place.

It is important you do not travel or attempt to visit Boundary Park on the day, especially with the new local restrictions in place.

Match Reports

Latics 2-0 Doncaster Rovers

Tonight's victory seals Latics' place in the knockout stage as group winners with a game to spare.

6 October 2020

Latics secure their second win in the EFL Trophy as Danny Rowe’s free-kick and Zak Dearnley’s late strike were enough to separate the two sides.

Harry Kewell named five changes to his starting XI which saw him hand Dylan Bahamboula his full debut after an impressive display against Colchester United at the weekend. Ian Lawlor, on loan from Doncaster Rovers, was allowed to face his parent club from the EFL Trophy clash.

In the seventh minute, Cameron John should’ve put his side ahead when Ben Whiteman delivered a cross into the box and it was deflected into the path of John, but the left-back snatched at his opportunity and blasted his strike over the crossbar.

Darren Moore’s side continued to apply pressure on Latics, and veteran James Coppinger nearly put his side ahead direct from a corner. The winger tried to curl his delivery into Lawlor’s near post, but the goalkeeper adjusted his body to get across and palm the effort out.

The hosts had a great chance of their own moments later as Jordan Barnett played a fantastic reverse pass to cut Doncaster’s defence open. Bobby Grant got onto the end of it, but from an angle, he dragged his low attempt wide of the post.

The Rochdale born, Whiteman, caused more problems for Oldham to deal with as this time he had great vision to slot Madger Gomes free inside the 18-yard-box, but Lawlor raced off his line and produced a fine block to keep the score level.

34th minutes gone and Coppinger produced a perfect delivered onto the head of Tyeece John-Jules from a corner and the Arsenal loanee’s header was brilliantly saved by Lawlor, the shot-stopper showed impressive reflexes.

Latics started the second-half in a positive manner and came close to taking the lead through substitute Dearnley. Grant floated a cross to the back post and Dearnley got onto the end of the delivery, but his header looped just past the post.

Following that, Rowe struck a free-kick from 25-yards out over the wall and it looked destined for the bottom corner, but Louis Jones manages to get down well and keep the striker out.

However, Donny were still posing a threat and they produced a slick counter-attack which resulted in John being slotted in behind the Oldham backline. The full-back under the onrushing Lawlor, but Sido Jombati was there to clear it off the line.

Harry Kewell’s side made the breakthrough in the 67th minute as Latics won a free-kick from around 25-yards from goal. Rowe stepped up and again and this time got his rewards as his strike flew over the wall before going under the goalkeeper and into the back of the net.

Carl Piergianni showed fantastic bravery to keep his side ahead as the ball fell to substitute Ed Williams inside the penalty area and he struck goalwards, but the central defender through his body in front of the shot.

Latic sealed the victory with only minutes left as Ben Garrity did well to race down the left flank and pull the ball back to Dearnley on the edge of the box and the forward blasted his effort into the top corner to seal Latics’ first win against Doncaster since November 2016.

Oldham Athletic XI – Lawlor (GK), Jombati, Piergianni ©, Whelan, Rowe, Keillor-Dunn (Garrity 69’), Grant (Blackwood 82’), Fage, Barnett, Bahamboula (Dearnley 46’), Hamer.

Subs – Chapman, McAleny, Hough, Sutton.

Goals: Rowe 67’, Dearnley 86’

Doncaster Rovers XI – Jones (GK), Halliday, Anderson, Wright, Gomes, Whiteman ©, Okenabirhie, Richards (Williams 70’), John-Jules, John, Coppinger (Taylor 46’).

Subs – Bottomley (GK), Butler. Hasani, Ravenhill, Blythe.

Referee – Tom Nield