Doncaster Rovers put on a stellar display in a relegation battle against seaside rivals Grimsby Town on Saturday, beating them 5-1 to move six points clear of the relegation places.
Luke Molyneux opened the floodgates at Blundell Park with a sensational strike from 20 yards, after a cut-throat move which saw Grimsby’s defence torn open, kickstarting Rovers’ early onslaught.
The lead was doubled 22 seconds later, when loanee Hakeeb Adelakun nabbed the ball in the middle of the park, before driving forward and threading it in for Joe Ironside to slot home his 18th goal of the season with precision.
Despite Grimsby Town pulling one back through a controversial Danny Rose penalty, Rovers maintained their composure, dictating proceedings with authority.
The second half saw Rovers tighten their grip on the game, as they capitalised on Grimsby’s defensive vulnerabilities. Grant McCann’s tactical adjustments, including the introduction of Kyle Hurst, proved instrumental in maintaining their momentum.
A calamitous own goal by Niall Maher and a clinical finish from Matthew Craig effectively put the result beyond doubt.
Hurst added the finishing touch with a well-taken goal, sealing a comprehensive victory for Rovers and extending their unbeaten run to four games under McCann’s stewardship.
Thimothée Lo-Tutala’s heroics between the posts ensured Rovers remained unscathed in the face of Grimsby’s occasional forays forward, further highlighting their defensive solidity.
With a fervent away following cheering them on, Rovers showcased their championship credentials with a commanding performance that left Grimsby Town reeling.
Local fan, Jack Roberts, 22, has been a Rovers fan for 17 years, and described it as the strongest performance he’d witnessed in a long time.
He said: “It wasn’t just the fact that we scored five goals away from home, and two in the first ten minutes – it was the quality of them.
“I think it’s a case of backing Grant McCann in the summer, and we could be pushing for promotion next season.”
