Walsall 0 Doncaster 3 - match report

David Cotterill's wonder-goal sunk Walsall as they slipped to an opening day disaster against Doncaster.

The winger lobbed David Grof from 40-yards to stun the Saddlers after Chris Brown's early opener put Rovers in dreamland.

Kyle Bennett's splendid 20-yard effort made it 3-0 10 minutes after the break as Rovers cruised to an easy win.

It left Walsall reeling after matching the visitors in the first-half but failing to make their chances count as Jamie Paterson, Ashley Hemmings and Andy Butler all went close.

James Chambers was handed an instant debut – against the side who released him in the summer – after signing just hours before kick-off following a trial.

But after just five minutes the Saddlers were behind after being undone by fine interchange between Billy Paynter and Brown.

Tommy Spurr crossed for debutant Paynter to play a one-two with Brown and while his shot was weak Grof failed to hold it and Brown tapped in.

The Saddlers responded and Hemmings' thunderous volley was deflected wide and Paterson was off target following Gary Woods' poor punch.

While Walsall looked shaky at the back they were composed on the ball and the direct running of Paterson, Hemmings and Florent Cuvelier caused Rovers problems.

The Saddlers had seen more of the ball and were pressing Rovers but Cotterill's brilliance on 26 minutes doubled Doncaster's lead.

There seemed little on when the ex-Swansea winger received the ball 40-yards out but he spotted Grof off his line and launched a perfect lob over the floundering keeper.

It was harsh on Walsall but had they failed to cash in on their period of dominance and Rovers almost added to their lead when David Syers' shot was deflected wide on 34 minutes.

Butler acrobatically volleyed over soon after but the Saddlers struggled to create anything meaningful.

Will Grigg was isolated among the hulking figures of Rob Jones and Jamie McCombe in the Rovers defence as Paterson continued to be the biggest danger and he fired just off target five minutes after the break.

But it got worse for the toothless Saddlers on 55 minutes when Rovers scored another classy goal as Bennett linked well with Paynter, cut in from the left and curled past Grof from 20-yards.

Adam Chambers volleyed at the underworked Woods a minute later but the Saddlers were beaten and substitute James Coppinger headed straight at Grof with 12 minutes left as Rovers eased home.