Saunders Signs Kirkland

Doncaster Rovers manager, Dean Saunders, clinched another signing coup yesterday when he snapped up former England keeper Chris Kirkland on loan from Wigan Athletic, subject to paperwork being completed and league clearance.

Kirkland was once the most expensive goalkeeper in British transfer history when he joined Liverpool for £6 million at the age of 20 in 2001.

He started his career at Coventry making his first team debut as a teenager and quickly shot to prominence as one of the most promising young keepers in the country.

The 6ft 3in Leicester born shot-stopper, now aged 30, won eight England Under 21 caps and went on to become a regular member of the senior squad making his debut against Greece in 2006.

Kirkland was unlucky with injury problems while at Anfield but joined Wigan permanently in October, 2006 and went on to make over 130 first team appearances.

His loan spell will last until January and he is eligible to play against Leeds United at The Keepmoat Stadium tomorrow night.

Result of the Weekend

Another 3 Goals, Another 3 Points for The Owls

Sheffield Wednesday 3 - 1 Chesterfield @ Hillsborough

Sheffield Wednesday overcame their local rivals Chesterfield at the weekend with an impressive 3-1 win. It's now six games unbeaten at Hillsborough for Wednesday, who moved up to second place in the league on Saturday.

The Owls started the brightest, and were rewarded after Lewis Buxton headed home from inside the penalty area from a set piece. Then early in the second half, Gary Madine fired home from 20 yards against the run of play, taking his personal tally into double figures, after managing 10 goals so far this season.

Gary Madine celebrates with team mates after his strike made it 2-0 to The Owls.

Chesterfield came back well however, enjoying the majority of possession late on as they looked to claw their way back. The pressured finally paid off, as former Owls striker Leon Clarke volleyed home from inside the box from a Spireites corner. 

John Sheridan's men were reduced to shots from outside the area as they tried desperately for the equaliser. But Wednesday always looked a threat on the counter attack, and they grabbed a late goal to seal the three points. Winger Ben Marshall on loan from Stoke claimed his second goal for the club after curling a superb effort into the bottom corner from the left hand side.

Loan midfielder Ben Marshall curled home the clincher late on to seal a 3-1 win.

Owls: Bywater, Buxton, Jones, Batth, Bennett, Lines, O'Connor (J Johnson 53), Semedo, Marshall, Madine (McGoldrick 90), O'Grady (Sedgwick 72).

Unused Subs: O'Donnell, Reynolds

Chesterfield: Fleming, Talbot, Howden, Downes, Grounds, Mendy, Allott (Whitaker 76) Randall, Westcarr (Bowery 46) Clarke, Morgan

Unused Subs: Smith, Clay, Ford

Weekend Preview

Sheffield Wednesday vs. Chesterfield @ Hillsborough

The Owls take on Chesterfield at Hillsborough on Saturday, in the first of two derby games in a row for Gary Megson's team.


Wednesday fans will be especially keeping an eye on the return of three familiar faces to S6. Ex-Owls midfield legend John Sheridan returns to Hillsborough and will, as always, get a good reception from the home crowd. The other two faces might not get such a rousing reception - former Chairman Dave Allen was always a controversial figure at Wednesday during his time there, despite his love for the club and the amounts of cash he injected into it. 


The other name is former Owls striker Leon Clarke, who scored on his final appearance for Wednesday in their final-day relegation battle with Crystal Palace in 2010. Clarke is currently on loan from Paolo Di Canio's Swindon Town side, and has managed to notch five goals in his short time with The Spireites.

Spireites loan man Leon Clarke pictured scoring for The Owls in his last game at Hillsborough.

This could prove a potential banana skin tie for Wednesday, who will have one eye on the game against Sheffiled United at Bramall Lane next Sunday in the first Steel City derby of the season. But with an unbeaten record at home this season, Gary Megson's side should be favourites to continue their run and pick up the three points.


Rotherham United vs. Burton Albion @ Don Valley Stadium


The Miller's entertain Paul Peschisolido's Burton Albion at the Don Valley Stadium on Saturday and will be looking to bounce back after a poor run of recent results. The latest of which, was a harsh 2-1 home defeat at the hands of local rivals, Sheffield United in the Johnstone's Paint Trophy.

 Andy Scott will be looking for a positive response after back-to-back league defeats.


Rotherham boss Andy Scott will be fully aware of the potential dangers posed by Burton Albion, who currently sit in 10th place in the league, just one point behind Rotherham in 8th, but will also see this fixture as a chance to distance themselves from the likes of Burton and climb back into the play-off places in League Two.


One danger is the form of League Two's top goalscorer, Justin Richards, The pacey forward already has eight goals to his name this season and poses a real threat up-front for The Millers defence.

Heartbreak for The Millers as Blades Snatch Late Win

Rotherham United 1 - 2 Sheffield United @ Don Valley Stadium


(Johnstone's Paint Trophy, Northern Section, Round 2)


A late goal from Sheffield United striker Ched Evans snatched a dramatic victory for Danny Wilson's men tonight as The Blades defeated local rivals, Rotherham United.


Chris Porter gave United an early lead after just 9 minutes at The Don Valley Stadium, but were pegged back in the second half thanks to Rotherham midfielder, Alex Revell.


It looked like the game would be heading for penalties, until up stepped Ched Evans in the last minute of added on time to slot home a dramatic winner for The Blades who go through to the third round.

BREAKING: Rovers Capture Ilunga

Doncaster Rovers today confirmed the signing of West Ham full back Herita Ilunga on an initial three-month loan deal.

The Congolese defender becomes Dean Saunders' second signing as Rovers boss after the capture of Pascal Chimbonda last week.

Ilunga featured in Sam Allardyce side's first four Championship games of the season, but has not played a league game since.

It is understood that West Ham will pay the majority of Ilunga's £33,000-per-week wages to facilitate the defender's move up north.

More to follow.

Midweek Preview

Tuesday: Rotherham United vs. Sheffield United @ Don Valley Stadium
(Johnstone's Paint Trophy, Round 2, Northern Section)

A South Yorkshire derby was drawn for the second round of the Football League Trophy as Sheffield United make the short trip across town to face Andy Scott's Rotherham United side.

Classic encounter: Neil Warnock's Sheffield United were victorious at Millmoor after a 2-1 win over The Millers in the 2002/2003 season in front of the Sky Cameras.


Millers boss Andy Scott said on Monday that he would ring the changes against The Blades after back-to-back defeats in the league. Blades manager Danny Wilson will most likely do the same, after suffering the same recent form as The Millers in League 1.

Result of the Weekend

Peterborough United 1 - 2 Doncaster Rovers @ London Road

Dean Saunders' third game in charge took place at London Road on Saturday as he and his Doncaster Rovers side went in search of some much needed points away from home.


Rovers have developed an unwelcome reputation as a side which struggle away from home in recent years and the start to this season has been no different.


However, Doncaster have clawed back some self belief and momentum after picking up four points from Saunders' first two games in charge against Crystal Palace and Hull City at The Keepmoat last week.

Saunders has steered Rovers to 7 points from three league games.




Things got off to what you might say is a typical start for Rovers though on Saturday, after going behind to an early goal from Posh midfielder, Grant McCann.


Peterborough had many chances, but failed to take them, which was soon to be their downfall.


In the second half, Rovers looked rejuvenated, and equalized through midfielder Brian Stock's 25 yard+ effort in front of the travelling support.


Then came the winner. Former Bury striker Kyle Bennett grabbing the headlines with a superbly taken individual goal, twisting and turning inside the box, before firing a shot into the bottom corner of the near post.


This first away win of the season takes Rovers out of the relegation places and up to 20th in the Championship table, a result which they may look back on as vital towards the end of the season.