Doncaster Rovers summer signings deliver in key victory over Peterborough

Alfie May and Isaac Hutchinson scored the goals that gave Doncaster Rovers their first League One victory of the season, a 2-0 win over Peterborough United. The result at the weekend lifted Rovers to 21st in the table with six points from seven games, moving them off the bottom and providing a vital boost after a difficult start.

May opened the scoring in the 15th minute, finishing off a move created by winger Leon Ayinde. The striker had barely slept the night before the match after his partner gave birth to their fourth child. Manager Grant McCann acknowledged the striker's remarkable effort. "He was running on adrenaline there already for 50, 60 minutes, so I'm pleased he's scored and he can celebrate with his little boy later," McCann said.

Hutchinson sealed the three points with a late strike in the 88th minute, converting a perfectly weighted pass from fellow summer arrival Jordan Thomas. The midfielder now has three goals across all competitions this season. "JT knows me and knows I’ll be in there, so it was a good-quality ball and it allowed me to finish it," Hutchinson said of the assist from Thomas.

Summer signings finding form

The victory showed the growing influence of Rovers' new recruits. May's return to DN4 has been eagerly anticipated, while Hutchinson's understanding with Thomas, a combination seen last season at Cheltenham Town in League Two, is beginning to bear fruit. Ayinde, who provided the assist for the first goal, has worked his way into the starting lineup after a patient start. The winger was substituted at half-time on his debut against Stockport County in the League Cup and made five appearances from the bench before scoring against Huddersfield Town in the EFL Trophy, a moment that solidified his place.

Jordan Thomas also impressed in that EFL Trophy match but had yet to translate that form to the league before his decisive contribution against Peterborough. His pinpoint pass for Hutchinson's goal was a sign of his growing confidence. The win followed a 1-0 defeat at AFC Wimbledon and a poor performance against Plymouth, with the club having won only one of its first seven league matches prior to this result.

With the win, Doncaster now have six points from a possible 21 this season. Their next fixture is an away trip to face Luton Town on Saturday, 28 September. The 2-0 scoreline represents Doncaster's biggest margin of victory this season and improves their goal difference to minus one, with eight scored and nine conceded. It provides a platform ahead of a challenging run of games. The club will hope this performance, built on the contributions of its new signings, marks a turning point as they look to climb the standings. The immediate focus shifts to preparing for the away match at Luton, where they will aim to build on this momentum and secure back-to-back results for the first time this campaign.

The original report is at Doncaster Free Press