With both the thirds and fifths without games this week, the first began their season with a trip away to Brooklands, a side who did the double over them last year. However, it will not be the same story this year as the firsts emerged as comfortable winners in Manchester. The seconds continued their 100% start as they got over the line against Brigg. The fourths managed to come away with a point against a strong Leadenham side.

Results:
M1 5-1 Brooklands
M2 1-0 Brigg
M4 2-2 Leadenham

M1: After what seemed like a very short summer break, the Doncaster Men’s 1XI kicked off their National League campaign with at trip over The Pennines (thanks England Hockey) with a visit to Brooklands to take on their 2XI, a team that did the double over Doncaster last season.
After a fairly hectic pre-season schedule and some new additions to the squad, the lads were in high spirits, despite Hatton’s very early meet time at Brooklands Sports Club. The newly crowned Yorkshire Cup Champions were determined to start the season on the front foot, and right the wrongs of the same fixture last season which left the lads on the brink of losing their National League status.
With debuts handed out to Priday, Chatfield, Hearne (yes, he finally signed) and Ryan Sproul (our latest South African and contender for worst haircut in the league) a new look Doncaster side took to the field.
Credit where it’s due, the home side started the stronger, deploying a high press that made it difficult for Doncaster to retain the ball, let alone build any form of attack. A slight adjustment in setup and improved quality on the ball saw Doncaster enjoy more possession as Q1 came to a close and find somewhat of a foothold in the game.
Q2 was somewhat different, as the boys from Town Fields showed their class going forward, and unlike previous seasons, converted their attacking dominance into goals. The first of which came from a penalty stroke as a PCA struck the defender in an uncomfortable spot on the line - Hearne saw his opportunity to open his account and was ice cold from the spot. Despite Brooklands labelling Cresswell as “the largest immobile player on the field”, they couldn’t do anything to stop him making a great lead between two defenders to receive the ball and fire into the side netting (via the keeper’s pads). Cogley-Rock added another from a well worked PCA tip-in, and Doncaster were in the ascendancy. Brooklands did however have the chance to get one back before half-time as a stroke was awarded. Davidson did his best Bruce Grobbelaar impression to put off the Brooklands player who missed the target. 3-0 HT.
A lapse in concentration and some half-decent attacking lead to a Brooklands goal within a minute of the restart and at 3-1, the game was in the balance. Maybe previous Doncaster sides would have felt the pressure, but a combination of cool heads and quality forward play meant the visitors added two more to the tally through Oades and Cogley-Rock. 5-1 at FT, and while some would argue that the scoreline flattered Doncaster, on balance the better side won the game. Comfortably.
We turn our attention to newly promoted Oxton for the first home game of the season on Sunday, 2pm push back.

M2: The second game of the season saw the second team face Brigg who had been relegated last season. Doncaster scored the opening goal in the first half via a young Tomo who, on his debut, wonderfully set up G Henshaw for an astonishing finish. The second half opened with Brigg on the front foot and the 2s defending rather frantically, this proceeded for the majority of the second half however, the 2s held their own to win 1-0.

M4: ​The 4s had their first away trip of the season; a 10:30 start against Leadenham at RAF Cranwell.
The 4s had a strong squad selected and looked to improve on the heavy defeat suffered in the same fixture last season.
Doncaster started brightly and deservedly took the lead through R Wilson following a breakaway and good buildup play by L Goodwin.
Leadenham proved the adage right that you are most vulnerable when you have just scored and equalised almost straight away.
In an end-to-end affair, it was Doncaster who went into half time with their noses in front following a well placed finish from B Stoves.
Half-time 2-1 to Doncaster
Doncaster knew that the next goal would be vital to the outcome of the game and tried hard to be the side to get it.
However, it was the hosts who scored midway through the second half.
It continued to be end-to-end, but neither side could find a winner.
Full-time 2-2.
It was a great team performance from the 4s and having now played 2 of the top sides from last season, and competed with both of them, it promises to be a good season if they continue to improve game by game.
Next week sees the 4s host Divisional newboys Sheff Uni Bankers 6s, following their promotion from the 5th XIs division last season.