South Yorkshire derby ends in stalemate

Posted Saturday, March 16, 2019 by PA

A tame South Yorkshire derby between Doncaster and Barnsley ended in a 0-0 draw on a night when both sides cancelled each other out.

The point apiece did nothing to boost each side’s promotion credentials, but at least for Barnsley, backed by over 3,600 travelling fans, it consolidated their place in the top two.

After Mamadou Thiam fired into the side netting inside the first minute for the visitors, Barnsley goalkeeper Adam Davies then pulled off a terrific double save three minutes later, diving low to his right to keep out Mallik Wilks’ header and then smothering John Marquis’ follow-up effort.

Wilks then fired inches wide, before James Coppinger’s fierce effort through a crowded box was well saved by Davies.

Cauley Woodrow flicked a shot well over Marko Marosi’s bar just before the hour mark and at the other end Davies comfortably saved a tame Marquis effort.

Marosi then beat away Woodrow’s 25-yard effort, with the home stopper then palming out Victor Adeboyejo’s cross shot as the game threatened to liven up a little.

Substitute Mike-Steven Bahre’s had an effort deflected narrowly wide and Woodrow drilled a low free-kick just past Marosi’s left-hand upright.

Rovers sub Kieran Sadlier nearly won it for Rovers at the death, but Davies brilliantly kept out his effort and denied Alfie May from the follow-up.