Doncaster Rovers v Swindon Town match report: Jacob Wakeling goal gives visitors victory

In what was a game dominated by Town possession wise, their constant attacking threat was rewarded in the 59th minute by Jacob Wakeling tapping in from a cross at point blank range.

The first half didn’t see too many clear-cut chances from either side in what was a lacklustre 45 minutes of football dominated by the away side.

It was smooth sailing for head coach Scott Lindsey’s side once they look the lead through Wakeling, as the home side struggled to produce anything threatening in the attack.

Head coach Scott Lindsey made two changes going into the game, Romeo Hutton came in for the injured Marcel Lavinier, and Wakeling replaced Luke Jephcott up front after his heroics on Tuesday night.

For Doncaster, Manager Gary McSheffrey made three changes as Bobby Faulkner, James Maxwell and Jon Taylor all came in to the XI.

Rob Grady (Image: Rob Grady)

Disaster almost struck for Rovers keeper Jonathan Mitchell four minutes in when he misjudged a backpass directed to him and had to desperately clear away from an oncoming Wakeling. The misdirected clearance fell into the feet of Jonny Williams in a dangerous area, however the midfielder was unable to find the right ball.

Doncaster’s first chance came in the eighth minute, where some trickery from Jon Taylor down the left-hand side resulted in an inviting cross which was defended well by Town.

It became clear in the first half that Doncaster were struggling to deal with the intensity of Swindons’s pressing. Just two minutes after the home side had threatened the opponent’s box, they caused their own danger when Adam Clayton was dispossessed by Ben Gladwin in a dangerous area, however Town again were unable to make the hosts pay for their error.

Angus McDonald’s afternoon ended in the 19th minute after he went down worryingly with nobody around him, he was substituted by defender Mathieu Baudry.

Rob Grady (Image: Rob Grady)

The first real chance for Swindon arrived in the 31st minute, where a great piece of skill from Tyrese Shade found Louis Reed on the edge of the box. The midfielder lays it off to Ronan Darcy on the right who’s effort is blocked well by the host’s.

Town proceeded to have a flurry of free kicks and corners, however none of which provided a real threat for Rovers.

On the stroke of half time, Gladwin was able to casually weave past a few players which resulted in him delivering an inviting cross to Shade at back post however it fell into the keepers’ hands.

The second half didn’t take long for there to be action as Doncaster’s Luke Molyneux looked to have got the better of substitute Baudry early on, who then brought the midfielder down and was booked as a result.

The away side then looked to resume their dominance in the 50th minute. Ronan Darcy got played through intelligently and his effort was deflected away for a corner, the resulting corner fell to Darcy again who tried an effort from outside the box which narrowly flew over the bar.

Chances started to become more frequent for Town, with chances from Blake Tracey and Shade which were both palmed away by Mitchell just before the hour mark.

Swindon’s hard work was rewarded in the 59th minute as the away side deservedly broke the deadlock. 

A well worked cross down the right found the feet of forward Wakeling at close range, who calmly put it past Mitchell to make it 1-0 and carry on his fine scoring form.

Doncaster went hunting for the equaliser shortly after, and five minutes later they almost were rewarded after forward George Miller was played through on goal, however keeper Sol Brynn came out fast enough to stop the danger.

The away side almost doubled their lead in the 70th minute through an audacious effort from Welshman Williams. The midfielder pounced on the opportunity of the home sides keeper slightly off his line and fired a long-range effort which forced Mitchell to tip the attempt over the bar.

Rob Grady (Image: Rob Grady)

For the remainder of the match, Doncaster continuously searched for an equaliser but they didn't offer enough to threaten the away side.

For head coach Scott Lindsey's Swindon, it is now two wins on the bounce for the first time this season.