Rolando Aarons watches on as Newcastle make impressive start to Checktrade Trophy campaign
Ben Dawson’s Under-23 side beat League One side Doncaster Rovers 3-1 at the Keepmoat Stadium tonight in the first of three group games in the competition.
Tom Allan, Callum Roberts and Elias Sorensen were on target for Newcastle.
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Hide AdRolando Aarons, left out of United’s 25-man Premier League squad this week, travelled with Dawson’s squad for the game, but wasn’t involved.
The out-of-favour winger has been linked with a move to Bulgaria, where the transfer window is still open.
Midfielder Sean Longstaff – who forced his way into Rafa Benitez’s first-team squad after impressing in pre-season – set up Allan for his 14th-minute opener.
Doncaster levelled before the break, but Roberts restored Newcastle’s advantage in the 65th minute.
Sorensen added a third goal late in the game.
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Hide AdThe game was watched by a crowd of 1,544, which included 115 travelling fans.
United’s second game in the competition is against Notts County at Meadow Lane on October 9.
NEWCASTLE UNITED: Harker, Sterry, Gibson (Cass, 79), Bailey, O’Connor, Watts, Allan (M Longstaff, 74), S Longstaff, Sorensen, Juanito (Wilson, 61), Roberts. Subs not used: Langley, Walters, Sangare.