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Play-Off Semi: Southend -v- Doncaster

Paul Green: Late test
By Robbo May 9 2008
DONCASTER Rovers travel to Roots Hall, home of Southend United this evening, to face the First Leg of the Coca-Cola League One Play-Off Semi Finals. Sean O'Driscoll could be facing one of the most important games in the clubs history without striker Paul Green, who faces a late fitness test ahead of the trip, along with Jason Price, who has also been carrying a knock.

               SOUTHEND UNITED VS DONCASTER ROVERS            
              League One Play-Off Semi Finals              

By Martyn Robinson

SIX days on from that awful trip to Whaddon Road, that saw Sean O'Dricoll's men agonizingly miss out on the final automatic promotion spot, and Doncaster are back in the thick of the action, this time in the Semi Finals of the Play-Offs.

The game is by no stretch of the imagination an easy one. Southend are the form team of the moment, only dropping points in one of their last 15 league matches.

But Doncaster have statistics on their side. In the last 21 seasons of League One (Division Two) football, eight teams finishing 3rd have won promotion to the Championship, and that is the highest number in recent years. Sixth place have won six promotions in that time, so this Doncaster - Southend Semi is an interesting one for many reasons. Forth placed Carlisle face Leeds United in the other Semi Final, with 5th placed teams winning on four occassions as opposed to the three that 3rd have won.

The stats:

Southend United v Doncaster Rovers @ Roots Hall:

Southend wins:  9;   Win percentage: 60%;  Southend goals: 29.

Doncaster wins:  4;  Win percentage:  27%; Doncaster goals: 14.

Draws: 2;   Draw percentage: 13%

 

DONCASTER TEAM NEWS: 

DONCASTER Rovers travel to Roots Hall with striker Paul Green, who scored Rovers' goal at Cheltenham on Saturday, almost certainly out of the game with hernia problems.

Fellow front man Jason Price could also miss the game after picking up a knock in training, but is largely expected to start the game alongside a returning Paull Heffernan. Mark McCammon is expected to drop to the bench to accomodate Heffernan.

Top scorer James Hayter will start the game on the subs bench. 

 

Can't get to the game? Tune in to SkySports 1 from 7:30pm on Friday night. 

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