Simkin's heroics, Sterry's Panenka and McGrath warning - Doncaster Rovers talking points

Doncaster Rovers made a winning start to the new season, seeing off Stockport County in the first round of the Carabao Cup.

Grant McCann's side won 5-4 on penalties, after the tie finished 1-1 after 90 minutes. Here, we look at the talking points to emerge from the contest:

Simkin's class

A smattering of debuts were dished out on Saturday but undoubtedly the player who most caught the eye was goalkeeper Tommy Simkin.

The Stoke loanee was terrific in the 90 minutes, with a plethora of saves that kept Rovers in the contest. And then in the shoot-out he made two crucial stops, to keep out Ben Osborn and Eoghan O'Connell and help tip this tie in Rovers' favour.

"He's top class, as a person, the way he handles himself for such a young player." his manager Grant McCann beamed post-match. "I thought he made some top saves, particularly shots from distance that were swerving a little bit. And then he's come up with some good penalty saves."

Indeed, Simkin was thrilled post-match when talking to the media after his spot-kick heroics. "In general I thought I had a good game," he said. "And then in the shoot-out there's no pressure on you really as a 'keeper so you try and put the pressure on the taker. And it worked I guess!"

Sterry's Panenka

Five of Rovers' six penalty-takers delivered the goods and despite Hakeeb Adelakun scoring the winning spot-kick, it was Jamie Sterry who grabbed the headlines thanks to an audacious Panenka chip - akin to the one Ben Close scored versus Hull in the FA Cup in early 2025.

Safe to say Simkin (eventually) approved of his colleague's finish: "I thought it was hitting the bar from where I was at first! So my heart was in my mouth, but we've got quality players who can do that. He's got a bit of cheek about him so if there's one person who can do that, then it was him!"

Rovers lay down a marker

After all is said and done, this was a fine way for Rovers to officially kick-start the new season.

The scheduling of these League Cup ties directly before the first league game offered a level of intrigue and there were more than a few detractors who suggested these matches would simply become a glorified friendly. Try telling that to the Rovers players and supporters after they sealed penalty joy and a place in round two. It had been some time since they last overcame Stockport, with the Hatters having Rovers' number in recent seasons.

But they dug in and overcame a side who came within one match of promotion to the Championship last season. McCann and his players should take plenty of confidence from this into Mansfield next weekend, when the real stuff begins.