- by Chris Mortley
Doncaster Rovers got off to a flyer in the new Championship season, scoring two first half goals to emerge winners against Preston North End at Deepdale.
A strike from full back and reigning Player of the Year James O'Connor and a close range effort from James Hayter have Rovers their opening day win, although Preston North End could have easily got themselves back into the game in the second half, had it not been for the heroics of Neil Sullivan.
Speaking to RoversPlayer after the game, Rovers manager Sean O'Driscoll revealed his pleasure at Rovers' performance which varied between the first and second halves.
"We were good in the second half; good in the first half. I thought that we could have passed the ball better, but our organisation and discipline was first class," said O'Driscoll after the game.
Player: O'Driscoll Post-Preston North End
"We said at half time that if our passing is not going to be top notch, then we have something to fall back on. I think that is something that we learned very quickly in this division and it stood us in good stead when we could have conceded a goal in the second half. However, we talked at half time and said 'if they get a goal, does that change anything?' - no. It just makes it a little bit more difficult because people are a little bit nervous and a bit tense. I thought that we put the effort in, stayed organised and disciplined throughout, which is all you can ask for."
On a less positive note, Rovers were forced to play the final 12 minutes with only ten men. Midfielder Simon Gillett was dismissed following a second yellow card for a challenge of North End's Billy Jones.
"I think that he (Gillett) lost his head in the first one. The way that Simon plays been he's always likely to get booked and we said to him at half time that he has a problem now - any mistimed tackle and the ref is going to send you off. At the time, you thought it might be a little harsh, but we watched it back on the tape and I don't think the referee had much choice."
