By Rovers Reporter Zak Armitage
Doncaster Rovers more than held their own on Friday evening, as they were edged out 3-2 by Premier League outfit Newcastle United in front of a partisan crowd at the Keepmoat Stadium.
It was a real homecoming occasion in South Yorkshire with the friendly providing the first opportunity in 16 months for the Rovers faithful to see their heroes on home turf.
Buoyed by the atmosphere there was a lively start from both teams at the Keepmoat, with the visitors taking the lead just after 10 minutes, a classy finish from Scottish international Ryan Fraser giving the Magpies the lead.
The Premier League outfit continued to show their undoubted pedigree and added their second through Sean Longstaff, the young midfielder firing past Louis Jones, after some luscious dribbling from French star Allan Saint-Maximin in the buildup.
Rovers started to grow into the game after this however and pulled a goal back in the path of Tommy Rowe, the combative midfielder the first onto the scene after an initial effort was parried by young Newcastle keeper Dan Langley. Nothing less than Rovers deserved after a challenging start to proceedings.
After this, the game became much more balanced, with the rest of the half being very much end-to-end. Rovers behind at the break, but only by a goal after withstanding a barrage of pressure from Newcastle in the game’s opening moments.
Despite a positive start to the second half from Donny, Newcastle once again showed their class, Callum Wilson cooly slotting past Louis Jones to reopen the Magpies two-goal cushion.
Even still, Rovers were still very much holding their own and almost got their second goal in the path of Trialist Two. The unnamed talent clipping the crossbar with his strike from the edge of the 18-yard box.
Nobody could begrudge Rovers their second goal of the game when it came however a delightful header from Omar Bogle once again reducing the deficit to a solitary goal.
Sadly for Rovers, they couldn’t find a leveller but more than held their own on the evening. Putting in a fine display and giving Newcastle United a good run for their money.
A game that will surely put Richie Wellens men in good stead for the upcoming season and at last a return to the Keepmoat Stadium for the Donny faithful.
