Keepmoat fortress: Loanee Conor Grant feeling at home with Doncaster Rovers

Everton loanee Conor Grant kickstarted his second spell with Doncaster Rovers with a goal that provided the platform for the League Two leaders to put struggling Crewe to the sword.
Doncaster Rovers loanee Conor GrantDoncaster Rovers loanee Conor Grant
Doncaster Rovers loanee Conor Grant

The 21-year-old winger struck the first goal of his second loan spell at the Keepmoat Stadium with a 25-yard strike.

He had previously netted twice in 19 appearances during a loan spell at Doncaster last season, before returning to South Yorkshire at the start of January.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“I just settled in very quickly,” said Grant. “There’s some new faces here, but there’s also a lot of the same faces, even around the training ground, it’s all pretty much the same.

“It’s nice to be back and it’s like I never left really.”

James Jones equalised for Crewe after Rovers goalkeeper Ian Lawlor had saved superbly from Chris Dagnall.

Doncaster were indebted to Lawlor for keeping the scores level heading into the break as he saved from new signing Jordan Bowery and Jones.

But Doncaster reasserted their authority in the second half and went back in front after 56 minutes. Grant delivered a superb free-kick which the unmarked John Marquis guided into the net.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

And they put the result beyond doubt in the 69th minute whenAndy Williams headed off the bar and Tommy Rowe mopped up the rebound.

“We’re just happy to get the win, we were dominant in the second half,” said Grant. “There’s a lot of confidence in the dressing room and everyone wants to be in the team.”

Doncaster Rovers: Lawlor, Blair (Alcock 61), Baudry, Butler, Mason, Houghton, Grant, Rowe, Coppinger, Marquis, Williams. Unused substitutes: Etheridge, Wright, Keegan, Middleton, May, Longbottom.

Crewe Alexandra: Garratt, Turton, Ray, Guthrie, Bakayogo (Nugent 71), Hollands, Cooper (Wintle 81), Kirk (Kiwomya 67), Jones, Dagnall, Bowery. Unused substitutes: Richards, Ng, Udoh, Lowe.

Referee: A Haines (Tyne and Wear).