JUST COP THAT
Rovers get a return from vet
JAMES COPPINGER, one of the oldest FA Cup swingers in town, isn’t going quietly in his final season.
The legendary Doncaster forward was determined to make an impact after calling time on his professional career from the end of this campaign.
A good Cup run would do nicely as a glowing send-off, but for FC United who weren’t even formed when the 40-year-old stepped onto the Football League stage, this was a painful evening in front of the live BBC cameras. The only consolation was a cheque for around £40,000 thanks to the TV coverage and FA cash for reaching the first round.
Covid hit-Donny, whose manager Darren Moore and two members of his backroom staff were forced to self-isolate, never looked like making it a difficult night for stand-in boss Andy Butler.
Normally in charge of the club’s woman’s side Doncaster Belles, he watched on as Coppinger and company ensured that the 97 places between the League One outfit and Northern Premier League proved a chastening chasm for the home side.
Butler admitted: “The cameras were here for a reason looking for an upset but the players did a professional job. I’ve loved every minute of being in charge. The gaffer picked the team and then gave me a full rein.”
Coppinger led by example and FC United were trailing 4-1 at the interval.
Fejiri Okenabirhie lit the touch paper to the on- field Donny fireworks which more than matched those outside the ground, the striker taking advantage of excellent work between Matt Smith and Brad Halliday.
Ben Whiteman quickly made it 2- 0 before Regan Linney’s pacey run from the halfway line and splendid finish gave Neil Reynolds’ side some hope. That was quickly dashed with a couple of confident efforts from Josh Sims either side of a trademark Coppinger strike.
FC United boss Reynolds said: “I’m proud that we have reached the FA Cup first round but Doncaster are a good footballing team.”
Lavercombe 7; Donohue 6, Doyle 6, Jones 6, Dodd 6; Griffiths 6, Potts 6, Simpson 6 (Morris 57,6), Sinclair Smith 6 (Fowler 57, 6); Linney 7, Ennis 7 (Cockerline 74, 6).
Unused subs: White, Pemberton, Stead, Brooks. DONCASTER ROVERS: Jones 6; Halliday 7, James 7, Wright 7, Anderson 7; Whiteman 8, Smith 7, Sims 8 (John 67, 6); Coppinger 8 (Revenhill 81), Williams 7 (Lokilo 57, 6), Okenabirhie 7.
Unused subs: Bursik, Amos, Butler, Blythe.
MAN OF THE MATCH: James Coppinger. Determined to go out with a bang. Rolling back the years as he approaches 40.
Thomas Bramall 7.