The Royals finally managed a win on Tuesday, beating Northampton Town in the 65th minute… again, with the goalscorer being Kelvin Ehibhatiomhan… again. A very weird turn of events that was. To have the same
scoreline as the 2023/24 fixture, the same scorer and in the same minute, very weird.
Doncaster Rovers started the season off very well but seem to have slowed down a little bit with their last match coming as a 2-1 loss to Northampton. With former Royal Billy Sharp leading the line and midfielder Owen Bailey their top scorer, Doncaster can be a dangerous side.
The head-to-head is currently in Reading’s favour with Rovers having won just five times in 44 games, as well as 30 Royals victories and nine draws.
The last match came in 2014 when Adam Le Fondre scored a penalty and Pavel Pogrebnyak netted a brace in the dying minutes to win the game 3-1 after James Coppinger had got the opener. Fun fact: Sharp actually featured in this match, assisting Coppinger’s goal to take the lead for the Rovers.
In this preview I will mention players who have played for both, examine the importance of Kelvin Ehibhatiomhan now that Jack Marriott is injured, and give my predictions.
What? League One matchday 14
Season? 2025/26
Who? Doncaster Rovers
Where? Select Car Leasing Stadium
When? Saturday October 25
Time? 15:00
Opposition manager? Grant McCann
Players who have played for both
Here are four players who have appeared for both Reading and Doncaster:
David Button played 45 matches for the Royals and came up with one assist for the club. He managed a 65.3% save percentage and let in 65 goals.
In 2011 he played seven matches for Rovers, managing neither a goal nor an assist, but had a 78% save percentage, conceding nine goals.
From one goalkeeper to another, the man who has just had a week-long loan at Sheffield Wednesday, Joe Lumley. He played 42 times for the Royals and managed one assist, but he had a save percentage of 65.6% and conceded 57 goals for the club.
For Doncaster in the 2020/21 season he played nine matches, managing no goal contributions, but he had a save percentage of 71.4% and conceded nine goals.
Once deemed to be a wonder kid, Josh Sims played 18 times for the Royals, managing two assists for the club.
He played 30 games for Rovers, managing three goals and eight assists.
Finally we have Sharp, who played 10 times for Reading, scoring twice. He has played 161 times for Doncaster, scoring 58 goals and providing 16 assists.
Kelvin Ehibhatiomhan
With Marriott now injured it is likely Ehibhatiomhan will be the starting striker. If this were last season then it would be all hands on deck as we didn’t have any replacement strikers, but I think he can produce what we need to win some games.
He showed against Northampton that he is a forward runner and pounces on opportunities when he gets near the box. He is a quality dribbler and is tall enough to get his head on the ball, even if it’s not his preferred method.
His goal in midweek showed good awareness and it was a great header for a poacher. If he can work a little bit on his decision-making then I think he can ask some questions of Noel Hunt about who starts.
Missing Marriott is a very big loss, but I think Ehibhatiomhan will surprise a few this weekend.
There’s not much more I have to say. I think he is a class player and he’ll grab a goal against Doncaster.
My predictions
Jack Stevens will start in goal. With Joel Pereira injured, Stevens needs to up his game a little bit. He wasn’t threatened much against Northampton but Doncaster are a very attacking side that could cause a slip-up or two.
The defence should be Andy Yiadom, Paudie O’Connor, Derrick Williams and John Ryan. Yiadom has been very impressive in the cameos he has made and I think Ryan has the crossing ability we need to get some more chances in the box.
The midfield will be Lewis Wing, Charlie Savage and Kamari Doyle. These three won’t be interchangeable for the foreseeable in my opinion.
The attacking line will feature Paddy Lane, Ehibhatiomhan and Daniel Kyerewaa.
Score prediction: 2-0 Royals
Good luck to those going to the game!
Come on you Royals!
