Doncaster manage Paul Dickov saw his side run out 4-0 winners in his first game in charge after they beat Frickley Athletic in their opening pre-season match.
Doncaster Rovers got off to the perfect start under new manager Paul Dickov after they beat Evo-Stick League Northern Premier side Frickley Athletic 4-0 at Westfield Lane.
Rovers fielded two sides that included a combination of last season’s first team regulars, youth team graduates and trialists – both of which played 45 minutes.
Midfielder Paul Keegan opened the scoring for the Rovers with a delightful chip over former Armthorpe goalkeeper Jamie Green, before a Chris Brown brace rounded off a convincing first 45 minutes for the new manager.
Into the second half and the Rovers could only add one further goal to their tally when David Syers’ fluke found its way into the back of the net. His initial effort from inside the six-yard box was well saved by Green with his legs but the Rovers midfielder saw the ball hit his face before crossing the line.
Striker Billy Paynter took some stick from the whole crowd after he saw several of his chances escape the goal. He initially shuffled his way around the stricken ‘keeper before seeing his shot cleared off the line and just minutes from time his sliding effort from four-yards out went over the bar.
The home side rarely threatened all evening and it took until the 43 minute of the match until veteran shot-stopper Neil Sullivan touched the ball with his hands.
In the second half a new trialist ‘keeper, understood to be Bolton’s Rob Lainton, had a rather quiet night for the South Yorkshire outfit and the most he had to do was punch a cross away from his goal.
Marc De Val Fernandez, the former Real Madrid midfielder, made a solid start to his Rovers career as he played the second half as a holding midfielder, this allowed Syers, Cotterill and a trialist, thought to be Sanchez Payne formerly of Leeds United, the opportunity to show their class and prove to Dickov why they deserve to be at the club.
Doncaster’s next pre-season friendly is on Saturday when they travel to Retford before another away match at Rossington the following Tuesday.
Dickov’s first match at the Keepmoat Stadium will be on July 13 when Rovers entertain Scottish side Motherwell in a pre-season friendly.
Rovers first half XI: Sullivan, Binns, Jones, trialist, Husband, trialist, Harper, Keegan, Bennett, trailist, Brown.
Rovers second half XI: Trialist, Quinn, trialist, Wakefield, Spurr, trialist, Fernandez, Middleton, Cotterill, Syers, Paynter
Words: Adam Grice
Photo: South Yorkshire Times
The Sporting Section 