Walsall 0 Doncaster 3 - match report
David Cotterill’s wonder-goal sunk Walsall as they slipped to an opening day disaster against Doncaster.
David Cotterill’s wonder-goal sunk Walsall as they slipped to an opening day disaster against Doncaster.
The winger lobbed David Grof from 40-yards to stun the Saddlers after Chris Brown’s early opener put Rovers in dreamland.
Kyle Bennett’s splendid 20-yard effort made it 3-0 10 minutes after the break as Rovers cruised to an easy win.
It left Walsall reeling after matching the visitors in the first-half but failing to make their chances count as Jamie Paterson, Ashley Hemmings and Andy Butler all went close.
James Chambers was handed an instant debut – against the side who released him in the summer – after signing just hours before kick-off following a trial.
But after just five minutes the Saddlers were behind after being undone by fine interchange between Billy Paynter and Brown.
Tommy Spurr crossed for debutant Paynter to play a one-two with Brown and while his shot was weak Grof failed to hold it and Brown tapped in.
The Saddlers responded and Hemmings’ thunderous volley was deflected wide and Paterson was off target following Gary Woods’ poor punch.
While Walsall looked shaky at the back they were composed on the ball and the direct running of Paterson, Hemmings and Florent Cuvelier caused Rovers problems.
The Saddlers had seen more of the ball and were pressing Rovers but Cotterill’s brilliance on 26 minutes doubled Doncaster’s lead.
There seemed little on when the ex-Swansea winger received the ball 40-yards out but he spotted Grof off his line and launched a perfect lob over the floundering keeper.
It was harsh on Walsall but had they failed to cash in on their period of dominance and Rovers almost added to their lead when David Syers’ shot was deflected wide on 34 minutes.
Butler acrobatically volleyed over soon after but the Saddlers struggled to create anything meaningful.
Will Grigg was isolated among the hulking figures of Rob Jones and Jamie McCombe in the Rovers defence as Paterson continued to be the biggest danger and he fired just off target five minutes after the break.
But it got worse for the toothless Saddlers on 55 minutes when Rovers scored another classy goal as Bennett linked well with Paynter, cut in from the left and curled past Grof from 20-yards.
Adam Chambers volleyed at the underworked Woods a minute later but the Saddlers were beaten and substitute James Coppinger headed straight at Grof with 12 minutes left as Rovers eased home.
Comments for: "Walsall 0 Doncaster 3 - match report"
walsallbeast
i watched walsall against the baggies and we have no tall players
walallwonder
Wel, this was only the first game of the season let's hope we do better for the next 45! Doncaster are a big, dirty side and should do well in the league so it is o dsgaceto lose to them.Their first goal was a Walsall defensive error but the other 2 were fanatastic. We must give praise and credit where it is due!
Hope Brandy gets beter soon. He looked like he had a bit of speed.
Frank
Surprisingly good teamwork and passing - but this was men (giants !) against boys - and no "beef" up front. I took a friend for the first time and cheapest seats £17.50 with concession up from £12.50 to £15.50 ?
Unbelievable prices for this standard of football !!!
desben1
No need to have watched walsall against the baggies to know that we have no tall players, fans have been saying on here and accross forums for weeks. You can't play like Barcelona in this league with our resources, the bottom of league one is a place filled with huge centre-backs,huge centre midielders, and huge strikers, we will always be bossed off the pitch. Its a nice idea to play good football, but with our finances we arent going to afford players good enough to pass their way through teams. Nice idea Deano, but i think its going to be a long hard season, not a catalan one.
Si Saddler
Why are you saying their second was a wonder goal it was a fluke he was trying to put the ball in the box!
tinned
We look to be playing a nice passing style of game. That in itself is great, much better than the hoofball of recent seasons.
But (and it's a big but) it will all be wasted if we don't sign a player that can hold the ball upfront. I'm not talking about a giant upfront but we desperately need someone that can perform this role otherwise all our passing football will be wasted.
Come on Deano! You must be able to see this?
desben
Si Saddler, are you suggesting it was a misplaced cross for the second goal? The footage suggests he meant it.
Gemma
We have nothing up front. If Grigg, Paterson and Bowerman are all we have to look forward to then i think its going to be a long struggling season.
Played some lovely football at times and looked very comfortable on the ball but this doesnt win games and puts points on the board. Another central defender and a couple of strikers needs to be Deans priority over the next few weeks.
Si Saddler
Desben, definate it was a mis place pass shaped up to put the ball in the box and mis hit it.
desben
he looked up, there was noone in the box, he played for it. watch it again.
desben
sorry Gemma, he's already signed his striker quota. Sadly he went shopping in the shire and filled it with a handful of hobbits