RECAP: Rossington Main 0 Doncaster Rovers 4: Comfortable if unspectacular in first friendly

Doncaster Rovers kick off their pre-season programme with a trip to local non-league side Rossington Main – and you can follow the action as it happens.
The Rovers squad warms up proper to the friendly with Rossington Main at Oxford Street. Picture: Andrew Roe/AHPIXThe Rovers squad warms up proper to the friendly with Rossington Main at Oxford Street. Picture: Andrew Roe/AHPIX
The Rovers squad warms up proper to the friendly with Rossington Main at Oxford Street. Picture: Andrew Roe/AHPIX

Join us from Oxford Road as we bring coverage of the first friendly of the Richie Wellens era - and the first time supporters can see Rovers in the flesh for 16 months. Remember to REFRESH regularly for the latest updates.

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Rossington Main 0 Doncaster Rovers 4

Trialist Aiden Barlow heads wide at the back post after meeting a cross from his fellow trialist.

Some lovely interplay in the final third sees the ball break for Tommy Rowe on his right foot but he hooks his shot wide.

Aiden Barlow is one of the first half trialists featuring for Rovers. The former Manchester United youngster is playing on the right of the front three.

Danger on the break

Rossington have caught Rovers on the counter a couple of times so far down the Rovers left and it took an excellent sliding tackle from Kyle Knoyle to prevent them from taking the lead.

Knoyle has been impressive so far with how high up the pitch he has managed to get and Matt Smith has just found him with a wonderful pass to take him beyond his marker.

The first half team with the change

We’ve had a late change to the starting XI with Tom Anderson being replaced by Ben Blythe.

Tommy Rowe skippers the side

Ben Close takes the kick-off and we’re up and running.

Possible change of personnel

It looks like there may be bad news for Rovers skipper Tom Anderson, who has headed back off to the dressing room from the warm-up, with the rest of the team still out there.

Cameron John has headed in to get changed.

Some more new faces

Former Liverpool full back Jon Flanagan and ex-Sheffield United winger Nathan Thomas are at Rossington today.

Thomas had an unsuccessful trial with Rovers last summer.

Neither of the two are dressed in training gear so it remains to be seen whether they will feature this afternoon, along with former Newcastle United youngster Owen Bailey.

And it’s pretty much as strong as it gets at the moment from Richie Wellens.

He’s lining up with a 4-3-3 as expected and includes two trialists as part of his starting XI.

It’ll be all change in the second half, when we’ll no doubt see a few more.

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