Future Rovers stars overcome Swedish opposition in Gothia Cup opener.
Doncaster Rovers Under 18’s got off to the perfect start in their Gothia Cup campaign with a 1-0 win over Malmo.
Despite home advantage for the Swedish side in Gothenburg, Jack McKay’s solitary goal was enough to see Paul Stancliffe’s side on their way, in a performance labelled “excellent” by the coaching staff.
Billy Whitehouse – graduate to the first team – forced a couple of saves early on from Malmo’s goalkeeper, whose goal lead a charmed life, particularly when McKay saw his first effort of the evening cleared off the line.
Rovers, solid at the back through Paul McKay and Scott Brown, took the lead midway through the second half when Jack McKay kept his composure to round the goalkeeper and slot home.
Late pressure saw Rovers’ ‘keeper Jack Maclaren called in to action to deny a team from the host nation a share of the spoils.
Malmo FF – European Cup runners up to Nottingham Forest in 1979 – gave their take on the game (in Swedish of course) which was literally translated as:
“MFF started the match promise and made a game in terms of passing the first half where little lacking to take the lead. The resistance was physically and hardworking but MFF stood up well. 10 minutes into the second half takes Doncaster ahead on a tangled situation and after it occurs Malmö stressed and rushed. The game stutters and scoring opportunity were absent until the last minute when the striker is created but unfortunately missed.”
The Under 18’s face Turkish giants Besiktas today.