Gateshead friendly behind closed doors

[donnyguy]

https://www.doncasterroversfc.co.uk/news/2025/july/10/gateshead-friendly-to-be-behind-closed-doors/

[craigdrfc]

Game will be played in Doncaster now I believe. Not sure if it’s at the Stadium or at Cantley maybe.

[roversdude]

Yeah got a message apologising from (or on behalf of) their chairman and it states game will be played at Rovers ground

[Metalmicky]

I'm sure that Owen would have liked a visit back to his old stomping ground..... it should be a good test either way.

[rover-n-out]

What time's ko please?

[Dutch Uncle]

According to twitter, it has started and we are 2 up - Sharp (17 min) and Bailey (26 min)

[Dutch Uncle]

3-0, Sharp penalty (33mins)

[ian1980]

H/T 3-0

[donnyguy]

And Gateshead missed  a penalty

[dknward2]

Ironside on for Sharp at half time

[dknward2]

5-0 Middleton and Sbarra with the Goals

[sf9944]

Six nil. Impressive

[sf9944]

Seven. Even more impressive

[RobTheRover]

Middleton with 2 goals, one disallowed and hit the bar from a free kick.

[Alan Southstand]

A bit of a strange looking side!

I would think:

                      Lawlor

Nixon.     Flint.     O’Riordon.    Maxwell

        Bailey.       Close.      Gotts

S’Barra.          Sharp/Ironside.         Middleton

I’m hoping Sterry and Mols will both be back in contention on Saturday!

[jmt23]

Does Mols have an injury, not much game time so far.

[IDM]

Who scored 6 and 7.?

[IDM]

Does Mols have an injury, not much game time so far.

Slight tweak, rested as a precaution (Saturday) according to GM.

[colincramb]

Just been at the stadium for a work event in the lounge, definitely no game there so game held at guessing at CP.

I did however get a glimpse of the pitch and I have to admit I got a little rush of excitement for a few weeks time. First time I’ve been back in the stadium since the Bradford game and made me smile.

P.S New speakers look good as well.

[RoseTInteD]

https://www.doncasterroversfc.co.uk/matches/first-team/2025/4f225ea0-4553-11f0-8c22-a3dbc1582297#Live_Updates

[Alan Southstand]

Goals on X.

[jmt23]

Some great play and passing in those goals on x. In particular Maxwell and Sbarra.

[Alan Southstand]

Just looking at the clips turns the excitement up a notch or two. However, we have to consider the level of opposition and the fact we were a level above last season. We’re now two levels above so we should, by now, be starting to show the difference in quality. That said, some of those goals were very well worked with a high level of passing and movement.

Saturday brings a whole lot of new problems and with a different team turning out. The good news is that Mols and Sterry are back in contention, which is very pleasing to hear. MKDons have been the ‘big spenders’ again and will be hoping for a much better season in L2. GM has already named most of the expected team, during his interview with LH.

[DonnyBazR0ver]

Yes, was thinking the same and licking my lips about the first game v Exeter.

With the new boys bedding in nicely I started to think about the line up and who's likely to be sure fire starters.

I'm struggling to name six. I think we can bank on (barring injury)....Lo Tutala, Sterry, Maxwell, Bailey, Molyneaux, Broadbent.

Who would be your definite starters?

[selby]

  Gateshead are not exactly flush with funds at the moment and are work in progress building a side.
  A consideration to make but putting those goals away you have to give credit to the squad, I was told Flint played well which was nice to hear one of the quieter players who goes unnoticed at times but is going to be a good player, and  needs a good loan up that can stretch him.

[Ian Nimmo]

Interesting midfield 3, wonder if close will be more involved this season adding some valuable experience when needed.
I know a lot have criticised Ben on here, but he his a good player, just unfortunate he got crocked at Bradford and it taken him a while to get over that really bad injury.
My understanding is that he has always worked hard in training and not just been taking a wage as some people have suggested.

[selby]

  IN, he might be a good player to some but for us he has been shocking for the most part both playing and fitness wise.
  If he plays well I will be the first to say so, but he has played a good number of games for us over quite a few seasons, not as many due to injury that he should have, and the good games for the most part were very few and far between.

[Alan Southstand]

I hope there will be another addition in that midfield before we get too far into the season!

[RobTheRover]

I can see Gotts starting, he's proper box to box as his default style.

[graingrover]

Bailey looked so fit and confident .