Dale suffer five-goal drubbing at hands of Doncaster
By RICHARD PARTINGTON
DONCASTER Rovers made it a miserable start to 2019 for Dale as they ran out 5-0 winners at the Keepmoat Stadium.
The tone for the afternoon was set after just 40 seconds when Mallik Wells crossed for Alfie May to send a cushioned header looping over Magnus Norman and into the net for the opening goal.
The Dale stopper had to be alert to keep out a header from John Marquis soon after and also denied May a second.
But Norman was beaten again on 23 minutes when Ali Crawford struck home a freekick from a tight angle and the game was all but over 11 minutes later when the home side scored their third, Marquis powering a header home.
Dale improved after the interval, though Rovers had taken their foot off the pedal by that stage. Keith Hill’s men conceded a fourth on 75 minutes, Marquis’ harmless looking attempt palmed into the net by Norman.
And a forgettable afternoon for the travelling supporters was wrapped up eight minutes from time when James Coppinger met Matty Blair’s centre with a diving header into the corner of Norman’s net.
“For us to get off to the start that we did and in the manner that we did is not a reflection of the players’ capabilities, so I’m disappointed,” said manager Hill.
“Doncaster are a good side but I thought we were very poor today. I’m here as the figurehead and the manager and I select the side, but the players have to make sure that they perform better than that individually.”