Rossington Main 0-4 Doncaster Rovers

Rossington Main 0-4 Doncaster Rovers

Pre-Season Friendly

Saturday 10th July 2021

As expected, the first game of the Richie Wellens era proved to be a straightforward affair for Doncaster Rovers as they triumphed 4-0 against Rossington Main.

Trialist Aidan Barlow scored a quick hat-trick towards the end of the first half whilst fellow contract hopeful Aramide Oteh converted a penalty midway through the second, infront of a crowd of approximately 1,000 at Oxford Street.

For Rozzo, who began their own pre-season campaign a fortnight ago, the game was a real test of their capabilities and by no means did they disgrace themselves - demonstrating good shape and positional discipline to limit Rovers to very little infront of goal for the opening half-hour before they succumbed to more penetrative play when the floodgates opened before half-time. For the large part, Ben Hunter's side acquitted themselves well in the warmish weather and held their own - even creating one or two openings which they weren't quite able to convert. It wasn't a bad showing and they can take confidence in their efforts and performance because it's unlikely they'll face such strong opposition again this term, plus they weren't on the wrong end of a demoralising cricket score (as is what happened with divisional rivals Parkgate who lost 11-0 to Rotherham United).

Rossington has become something of a hub for former Doncaster Rovers players, mainly ex-scholars, over the past few years and several were on show here.

Kian Johnson, who was part of the title-winning youth team from two seasons ago, kept goal throughout the contest whilst Elliott Walker was back in action (at right-back in the second half) following his recent trial at York City. Jack Watson appeared up top during the first 45 minutes whilst the more experienced Conner Williamson featured at centre-back where he's performed quite well over the past couple of games. The lively Cameron Barnett, having already bagged five goals so far in pre-season - including one against Wakefield last Tuesday night, featured, and Jordan Buckham also appeared in the academy ranks at the Keepmoat Stadium many years ago as well.

One very familiar face to Rovers fans who wasn't present for Rossington was Jan Budtz. The Danish goalkeeper, now aged 42, has intermittently turned out for Main in recent times - including this pre-season, though it's not yet clear where he'll be playing his football throughout 2021/22.

Anyway, the strongest xi which Rovers fielded appeared in the first half and it included several new signings plus others who've performed in the Premier League in the past such as John Bostock who pulled the strings from his midfield position.

Donning their new predominantly red kit (which closely resembles Aberdeen's 2009/10 home strip), Donny dominated possession as you'd expect and although a few players looked bright, nobody was able to break through Rossington's rigid defensive line in the early stages. Bailey Conway, wearing the No.4 shirt for the hosts and returning to the team following a short spell on the sidelines, demonstrated good work in one instance to pressurise Matt Smith into returning the ball all the way back to Louis Jones despite having received it from a Rovers corner-kick, and despite his deceptively slender physique wasn't afraid to get stuck in as usual. Cameron Barnett also dropped deep on more than one occasion to carry out his fair share of the defensive work as well.

Slowly but surely, nevertheless, Rovers began to create a few opportunities - the best of which saw Tommy Rowe scuff an effort wide close to the half-hour mark.

It was just after that point that the Football League team made their breakthrough with Omar Bogle setting-up Aidan Barlow for a close-range finish and it was a goal which definitely deflated Rozzo who then capitulated to some extent over the next few minutes. Rowe was soon thwarted from an excellent volley thanks to Kian Johnson but the ball fell kindly for Barlow to again tap home on the rebound, and the trialist then completed his hat-trick with a curling 20-yard strike.

Between those strikes, things could have been different because with the scoreline at only 1-0, home skipper Jason Stokes was played through on goal only for Jones to read the danger, advance from his line and make quite an important save.

The second half saw a plethora of changes by Donny with many trialists featuring - one of which was Nathan Thomas. He limped off injured before the hour mark and was replaced by Lirak Hasani. Rozzo also made a few changes themselves at the interval with Elliott Walker introduced and he soon enjoyed a full-throttle 50/50 challenge with his former youth team-mate Branden Horton.

Rovers continued to have plenty more possession with Charlie Seaman looking decent though opportunities again remained at quite a premium. That was until a spot-kick was awarded on 66 minutes which was duly converted by Aramide Oteh, and further chances followed with a Seaman cross being headed over whilst an effort from Hasani was narrowly off-target.

Even though the gulf in quality was very evident, the desire and commitment shown by Rossington couldn't be faulted and when substitute Josh Yeoman (another who has performed well in the past few games) saw an opportunity to get on the score-sheet, it was only some good covering defending by Cameron John which prevented him from testing Ben Bottomley. There were other half-chances but Rovers remained resolute at the back to deal with them.

In reflection, Rozzo can (and should) be pleased with their own performance because if you forget the capitulation of sorts leading up to half-time, they've only lost the game 1-0 across the other 80 minutes and have created a selection of chances from which they might have scored. The pre-season campaign up to now bodes well for the season ahead and they've got plenty of good players for NCEL (Division One) level - whether it be those going forward or those at the back, including also Jake Boyd who is also getting better with every display this pre-season.

The truthful test for everyone will be when league points are at stake and the season gets underway with a home game against Ollerton Town on Saturday 31st July (3.00pm).

Hopefully, some of the crowd who were present yesterday will be kind enough to return to Oxford Street, even if it's just intermittently throughout the season, to check on Rozzo's progress. There are plenty of games and you'll always be guaranteed to receive a warm welcome!

Both teams again are in action on Tuesday night. Doncaster visit National League North side Spennymoor Town whilst Rossington head to Barton Town, managed by Nathan Jarman, of the NCEL (Premier Division).