The opening day of the season, where everyone is full of optimism, (well not so much in our camp) for the season ahead and everyone hoping for a good season opener.
Within the opening few minutes visitors Doncaster, knocked some of that optimism out of the most due hard Saddlers fans.
A low cross from Walsall’s right was spilled by David Grof leaving Chris Brown to tap in their first League One goal.
Walsall looked far from out of the game, hoeing good presence on the ball, Ashley Hemmings looking the most likely to score.
Just before the half hour mark Walsall’s fate was all but sealed.
David Cotterill looked to have nothing on, until he casually looped the ball over Grof from the halfway line for an admittedly stunning second goal.
Walsall now found theirselves two down, probably against the run of play but lack of a killer touch in the final third was proving to bite us on the rear.
Half Time: Walsall 0 Doncaster Rovers 2
The second half began much the same as the first ended, Walsall trying to gain momentum but having nothing to show for it the the opposition half.
Just before the hour mark it was game over, Doncaster’s Kyle Bennett cutting in from the left and curling a lovely effort into the fr corner of Grof’s net.
Hemmings and Paterson were replaced by Brandy and former Rovers youngster Baxendale (who received a healthy applause from the visitors), and dissapointingly not long after coming in Brandy was forced back off again with a knock, seeing him replace by Bowerman.
The game slowly peetered out even with four minutes of stoppage time.
Full Time result: Walsall 0 Doncaster Rovers 3
Attendance: 4,205
Walsall looked good at times, and 3-0 undoubtedly flattered Doncaster in some ways.
Essentially we were beaten by a Doncaster team that looked like they didn’t have to hit full pelt, and won’t have too much of a problem getting straight back out of this league.
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