Doncaster Rovers 3
Wrexham 0
League (Division Four)

Match Report

Background

With Phil Bater sidelined by an ankle injury, sole summer signing Seamus Heath was drafted into an unaccustomed left-wing back role as manager Bobby Roberts opted for a 5-3-2 formation which he had favoured in pre-season. By contrast Doncaster, who like Wrexham had been relegated the previous May, included four new players in their starting line-up. Rovers’ manager Billy Bremner was given a slight scare when Ernie Moss and Andy Kowalski were held up in heavy traffic, but both made it to the ground in time to make their debuts alongside fellow newcomers John Breckin and Mark Miller.


Report

With Belle Vue bathed in glorious sunshine, the home side started brightly and came close to opening the scoring in the fourth minute when Colin Douglas fired narrowly wide after good set up play from the vastly experienced Moss. The former Port Vale striker had come close to joining Wrexham in a swap deal for Jim Steel the previous March and proved a constant threat, linking well with pacey ex-Gillingham right-winger Miller who gave Heath a torrid time.

Miller was involved in the game’s opening goal, capitalising on a raking pass from Ian Snodin to cross for Douglas to head powerfully past Stuart Parker after just seven minutes. Rovers added a second three minutes later when Miller’s centre found the unmarked Glenn Humphries who scored with a downward header which gave the 20-year-old Parker little chance of saving.

Wrexham immediately reverted to a more orthodox 4-4-2 with Simon Hunt moving into midfield, but Rovers continued to press, and Parker had to dive full length to tip away a 20-yard-drive from Billy Russell. Dave Gregory did manage a shot on the Doncaster goal, but it failed to trouble Dennis Peacock and then, as if matters weren’t bad enough, Steve Buxton was forced to come off with a knee injury. Moments later Parker produced a stunning fingertip save to deny the impressive Snodin only for the home side to make sure of the points just 22 seconds after the interval, Moss netting from six-yards out after a slick one-two with Snodin.


Quotes

"It’s going to take time for the side to settle so I’m appealing to our fans to be patient."
Bobby Roberts (Wrexham AFC Manager)

"We have a very young side in a very hard league. With a lot of clubs shedding players the standard in Division Four is bound to have improved – I’m hoping that we can settle down and at least give the fans something to cheer about."
Jake King (Wrexham AFC Captain)


Post Match

Wrexham confirmed that want-away defender Steve Dowman had joined Second Division Charlton Athletic on a month’s loan, whilst Buxton looked set to be out of action for at least a month, further depleting Bobby Roberts’ playing resources.