Rovers victorious in York.
York City 1 (Fenwick 32)
Doncaster Rovers 2 (Rowe 21, Blair 67)
Tuesday 26th July
Bootham Crescent, York
Pre-Season Friendly
Matty Blair’s strike gave Doncaster Rovers victory in their penultimate pre-season clash against York City at Bootham Crescent.
Rovers dominated possession early on against the Conference National side, without creating many chances, John Marquis and Andy Williams combined well and the latter’s deflected shot was the closest Doncaster came to testing York goalkeeper Scott Flinders.
Doncaster who suffered a number of injuries against Newcastle United last Wednesday, faced more bad news 16 minutes in with Luke McCullough, making his first pre-season appearance following UEFA Euro 2016 being forced to leave the field.
Despite the loss of McCullough, Rovers were in-front just five minutes later, Marquis made a great run into the York penalty area, he cut it inside to Williams who back heeled for Tommy Rowe to slot home.
It took the hosts 26 minutes to get a shot on the Rovers goal, Aiden Connolly turned well on the edge of the area forcing Ross Etheridge into a good save.
Some good chasing by Rowe led to him stealing the ball in the York penalty box, he teed up Riccardo Calder, but the Aston Villa loan man saw his shot on goal blocked.
Andy Williams had an appeal for a penalty turned down, before York won a free-kick deep into the Rovers half with Matty Blair penalised for handball. The hosts took full advantage from the set piece, Marquis’ header went high in the Rovers area, Etheridge couldn’t collect and Scott Fenwick smashed home.
York had a chance to take the lead just before the break,Aiden Connolly got to the byline, and got a low cross in but Yan Klukowski couldn’t get a toe on the end of it.
Half Time: York City 1-1 Doncaster Rovers
Rovers remained unchanged after the break and Doncaster looked to regain the lead, John Marquis had a good header saved five minutes into the second period.
Maverick James Coppinger then came close, he fired a cross across the face of goal, but Williams, Marquis and Riccardo Calder were all unable to get on the end of it.
Doncaster finally made the breakthrough in the 67th minute. Calder found Coppinger at the back post, he headed inside for Rowe who sliced a volley and the ball fell to Matty Blair on the edge of the box who fired the ball into the bottom left corner.
York substitute Daniel Nti forced Etheridge into a good save with just over ten minutes to go, before Andy Williams was denied by a super save from Flinders in the York goal, to deny Rovers extending their victory margin.
Full Time: York City 1-2 Doncaster Rovers
Team Lineups-
Rovers: Etheridge, Garratt, Butler, Lund, Blair, McCullough, Calder, Coppinger, Rowe, Marquis, Williams. Bench: Marosi, Evina, Fielding, Mandeville, Longbottom, Pugh, Trialist.
York: Flinders, Clappison, Robinson, Higgins, Rooney, Heslop, Kamdjo, Klukowski, Whittle, Connolly, Fenwick. Bench: Simpson, Clarke, Felix, Warlde, Thompson, Walton, Nti, Kennedy
Attendance: 883 (189 Rovers)