PORTSMOUTH v DONCASTER ROVERS NPower Championship, 22 October 2011, at Fratton Park Link to BBC Sport Prieview: http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/15319289.stm Last season: 13 November 2010 Pompey 2-3 Doncaster Who are Ya? (some of this information is courtesy of wikipedia) Donny were initially elected into the league in 1901 but were voted in and out of the league twice in the first few years of the twentieth century. They have spent most of their time in the bottom two divisions, but in 2008 they gained promotion to the Championship and their first taste of 2nd tier football for 50 years, courtesy of a Play-Off Final victory over Leeds Utd. The interim period had included five seasons outside the Football League, after relegation to the Conference in 1998. Highest League Finish: 7th (out of 18) in Second Division 1902 [Two Division League] Highest (3-4 division) League Finish: 11th in Second Division [Championship] 1951 Lowest League Finish: 24th in Div 3 [League Two] in 1998 (Relegated) Lowest Conference Finish: 16th in 1999 Honours: 3rd Tier [League One] Champions 1935, 1947 & 1950. Runners Up 1938 & 1939. Play-Off Winners 2008 4th Tier [League Two] Champions 1966, 1969 & 2004. Runners Up 1984. Third (Promoted) 1981 5th Tier [Blue Square Prem] Champions 2003 Football League [Johnsons Paint] Trophy Winners 2007 Conference Cup Winners 1999 & 2000 Yesteryear 27 November 1982, Third Division [League One] Portsmouth 2-1 Doncaster Up until last season this was Donny’s most recent League visit to Fratton Park. Although there is no great significance to this match, Pompey’s win at Belle Vue, in the reverse fixture, on 30th April would see them go top of the league and also seal Doncaster’s relegation to the Fourth Division. Doncaster League finish: 5 years ago (2006-07): 11th in League One 10 years ago (2001-02): 4th in Conference [Blue Square Prem] 15 years ago (1996-97): 19th in Div 3 [League Two] 20 years ago (1991-92): 21st in Fourth Division [League Two] 25 years ago (1986-87): 13th in Third Division [League One] Random Fact: Doncaster Rovers were involved in the longest ever football match, against Stockport County at Edgeley Park on 30 March 1946. The match was the second in a Division Three (North) two-legged cup tie and, after 30 minutes of extra time, was deadlocked at 2–2 (also the score in the first leg). After the referee had sought advice from the authorities, it was decided that the game would carry on until one team scored. However, after 203 minutes, and with darkness closing in, the game was finally stopped. Stories abound of fans leaving the game, going home for their tea, and coming back to watch the end of the game. The replay, at Doncaster, was won by Rovers 4–0. Current odds (Thursday Morning) from SkyBet POMPEY: 4/5 DONCASTER: 3/1 DRAW: 5/2
A game we should certainly be looking to win, no matter which way you consider it. Given our last two performances we seem to have a bit more confidence in the side and Doncaster are struggling to reproduce the form that kept them up last season. However, I vaguely remember feeling just as confident last time around....
