Williams and Rowe condemn City to defeat for the first time in three games...
There were three changes from the side that beat Bradford City. Tuesday night’s match-winner Andy Rose came into midfield as James Maddison dropped to the bench. Jodi Jones and Jacob Murphy came in on the flanks, as Joe Cole was rested and Ruben Lameiras also dropped to the bench. The back four remained unchanged as Romain Vincelot filled his usual role in defensive midfield.
The game started with a high tempo as both sides came close in the opening stages. Jodi Jones delivered a great ball from a free-kick 40 yards out on the right. And Andy Rose, at the far post, was inches away from notching his second goal in as many games. At the other end, confusion in the City defence lead to Riccardo Calder getting in on goal, but he dragged his shot from the left of the area wide.
However, the hosts took the lead in the 20th minute. Former Sky Blue Gary McSheffrey whipped in a corner from the right-hand side and Tommy Rowe flicked in a header for the Rovers at the near post.
Tony Mowbray’s men almost had a response four minutes later. Jacob Murphy used his trickery well to beat his defenders down the left-flank, managing to get to the by-line and pull it back for Adam Armstrong. The on-rushing Sky Blues’ top scorer managed to dive in ahead of the defender, and flick the ball towards goal, but Remi Matthews managed to dive to his right and save.
However, eight minutes later Doncaster doubled their lead in the 32nd minute. Substitute Nathan Tyson sent in a cross from the left, and Andy Williams managed to head in unchallenged, past Reice Charles-Cook into the right corner of the net, from the centre of the area.
The second half started with both teams displaying clear attacking intent, but it was Donny that almost increased their lead in the 58th minute. Andy Butler rose to head home from the centre of the box, from a right-hand corner, but Charles-Cook gathered well. The Sky Blues were still lively going forward as Vladimir Gadzhev came on to make his City debut. Armstrong would come close from a Andy Rose cross, but his header was gathered by Matthews, in the 62nd minute.
With 28 minutes left on the clock, Rovers almost increased their tally to three goals, but Charles-Cook made an excellent save. Rowe played in a cross from the right, and Tyson rose to direct a header towards the bottom right-corner, but Charles-Cook got down well, to push the ball out for a corner.
Eight minutes from time, the Sky Blues came the closest they had all game, to registering a goal. From a throw-in, Rose played it into James Maddison who managed to turn his defender, and run into space on the edge of the area. City’s No.10 then fired a shot which looked to be heading in towards the bottom right-corner, but the Rovers’ keeper managed to save.
Mowbray's men continued to press for a goal, as Marcus Tudgay was inches away from tapping in, three minutes from time. John Fleck struck the ball towards goal from the flank, and the on-rushing Tudgay was inches away from sticking it in at the back post. That would be the last chance for City, as the game finished 2-0 to Doncaster.
Attendance
6364 (779 away)
Teams
Coventry City: Charles-Cook (GK), Ricketts (C), Stephens, Martin, Phillips, Vincelot (Gadzhev 58), Fleck, Jones (Tudgay 58), Murphy (Maddison 68), Rose, Armstrong.
Subs: Addai (GK), Lorentzson, Lameiras, Fortune.
Doncaster Rovers: Matthews, Alcock, Butler, Evina, Lund, McCullough, Rowe, Calder (Middleton 79), Coppinger©, Williams, McSheffrey (Tyson 27)
Subs: Stuckmann, Mandeville, Stewart, McKenzie, Taylor-Sinclair
YC: Middleton