Match report

Southampton Defeats Doncaster 3-2 in FA Cup Thriller

Doncaster
Doncaster
2–3
FT
Southampton
Southampton
Jan 10, 2026

In an exciting FA Cup encounter at the Keepmoat Stadium, Southampton secured a narrow victory over Doncaster Rovers with a final score of 3-2. Despite trailing early on, Southampton managed to pull away thanks to crucial goals from Christopher Bragg and Kiriyan Matsuki. However, Doncaster showed resilience in the second half by scoring two quick goals through Matthew Pearson and Jack Gibson.

Key Facts

  • • Southampton: Goals by C. Bragg (8'), C. Archer (24', assist by Flynn Downes), K. Matsuki (41', assist by T. Fellows)
  • • Doncaster: Goals by M. Pearson (48', assist by R. Gotts), J. Gibson (59', assist by O. Bailey)
  • • Southampton led 3-0 in the first half before Doncaster responded with two goals in the second half
  • • Substitutions included Jay McGrath for J. Maxwell at minute 54 and several changes near the end of the match

Lineups

Doncaster

Formation: 4-1-4-1

Starting XI

  • 29 T. Lo-Tutala (G)
  • 2 J. Sterry (D)
  • 5 M. Pearson (D)
  • 6 J. McGrath (D)
  • 23 J. Senior (D)
  • 22 R. Gotts (M)
  • 7 L. Molyneux (M)
  • 4 O. Bailey (M)
  • 11 J. Gibson (M)
  • 47 H. Adelakun (M)
  • 19 F. Okoronkwo

Substitutes

  • 41 J. Bryant
  • 3 J. Maxwell
  • 9 B. Hanlan
  • 14 B. Sharp
  • 15 H. Clifton
  • 16 T. Nixon
  • 27 S. Grehan
  • 17 G. Middleton
  • 20 D. Robinson

Southampton

Formation: 4-2-3-1

Starting XI

  • 41 D. Peretz (G)
  • 38 E. Jelert (D)
  • 6 T. Harwood-Bellis (D)
  • 17 J. Quarshie (D)
  • 34 Welington (D)
  • 4 F. Downes (M)
  • 48 C. Bragg (M)
  • 18 T. Fellows (M)
  • 27 K. Matsuki (M)
  • 46 J. Robinson (M)
  • 19 C. Archer (F)

Substitutes

  • 1 A. McCarthy
  • 5 J. Stephens
  • 15 N. Wood
  • 20 C. Jander
  • 53 B. Williams
  • 51 R. Akachukwu
  • 13 L. Scienza
  • 11 R. Stewart
  • 9 A. Armstrong

Timeline

  1. Southampton
    8' Southampton Goal · Normal Goal
    C. Bragg
  2. Southampton
    24' Southampton Goal · Normal Goal
    C. Archer · Assist: Flynn Downes
  3. Southampton
    36' Southampton Card · Yellow Card
    K. Matsuki

    Argument

  4. Southampton
    41' Southampton Goal · Normal Goal
    K. Matsuki · Assist: T. Fellows
  5. Doncaster
    48' Doncaster Goal · Normal Goal
    M. Pearson · Assist: R. Gotts
  6. Doncaster
    54' Doncaster subst · Substitution 1
    Off: Jay McGrath · On: J. Maxwell
  7. Doncaster
    59' Doncaster Goal · Normal Goal
    J. Gibson · Assist: Owen Bailey
  8. Southampton
    62' Southampton subst · Substitution 1
    Off: E. Jelert · On: Nathan Wood
  9. Southampton
    62' Southampton subst · Substitution 2
    Off: J. Robinson · On: L. Scienza
  10. Doncaster
    67' Doncaster Card · Yellow Card
    M. Pearson

    Foul

  11. Southampton
    74' Southampton subst · Substitution 3
    Off: C. Archer · On: R. Stewart
  12. Southampton
    75' Southampton subst · Substitution 4
    Off: C. Bragg · On: C. Jander
  13. Doncaster
    76' Doncaster subst · Substitution 2
    Off: J. Gibson · On: B. Sharp
  14. Doncaster
    76' Doncaster subst · Substitution 3
    Off: H. Adelakun · On: G. Middleton
  15. Doncaster
    78' Doncaster Card · Yellow Card
    R. Gotts

    Foul

  16. Southampton
    84' Southampton Card · Yellow Card
    Flynn Downes

    Foul

  17. Doncaster
    84' Doncaster subst · Substitution 4
    Off: R. Gotts · On: B. Hanlan
  18. Doncaster
    84' Doncaster subst · Substitution 5
    Off: J. Senior · On: D. Robinson
  19. Southampton
    87' Southampton subst · Substitution 5
    Off: K. Matsuki · On: Adam Armstrong

Match Stats

Stat Doncaster Southampton
Fouls 10 10
Pass Accuracy 78% 84%
Offsides 1 2
Red Cards — —
Total Shots 15 11
Corners 6 5
Total Passes 360 468
Yellow Cards 3 2
Blocked Shots 0 2
Shots on Target 6 6
xG 1.42 1.86
Shots off Target 9 3
Possession 45% 55%
Goals Prevented — —
Accurate Passes 281 395
Shots Inside Box 8 8
Saves 3 4
Shots Outside Box 7 3

Key Match Notes

  • ▸ Southampton's early three-goal lead within the first 41 minutes set a strong tone, with Christopher Bragg and Kiriyan Matsuki making key contributions.
  • ▸ Doncaster's quickfire goals by Matthew Pearson and Jack Gibson at the end of the half sparked momentum but couldn't overturn the deficit.