Dons cup semi to be played away from Keepmoat

Doncaster will host Sheffield in the Northern Rail Cup semi-final at the Doncaster Athletics Stadium on Friday June 28.

Their usual home at the Keepmoat Stadium is unavailable until July 7, but the club was determined to keep the fixture in Doncaster.

The Athletics Stadium, which has 500 seats and can hold approximately 2500 people, sits adjacent to the Keepmoat.

Dons’ commercial manager, Ray Green, who has secured the use of the venue said: “We’ve done everything possible to keep this fixture in Doncaster and as close to the Keepmoat Stadium as possible.

“We appreciate that our fans have had to travel away to watch all of our cup games in 2013 and we certainly did not want to give up home advantage in a game as big as this.

“The athletics pitch is in great condition and is looked after by the Keepmoat staff, who have stressed that the pitch at the Keepmoat may look like a bowling green but the seeds need longer to become more deep rooted which will prolong the life of the surface.

“It should be a cracking South Yorkshire derby and I believe the athletics stadium will prove to be more than a suitable venue.”