Wales winger Cotterill, 24, spotted keeper David Grof off his line in the 26th minute and floated in a wonder goal from 45 yards to leave Walsall shell-shocked before admitting:
"I shanked it, but I'll take it. When I was with Swansea I tried that a few
times in games and it never came off.
A few minutes later I spotted him off his line again and so I don't think
he'd learned his lesson. It was tempting, but I played a pass instead. If I'd
put in a second one like that I don't think he'd have been too happy."
And Wales winger Cotterill, 24, is now looking forward to settling down
after playing for seven clubs already in his short career. He
said:
"I don't want to be know as a journeyman pro. Hopefully I can now stay at
Doncaster for a long time. My family are with me and that's the main thing as I
think I'd lose my mind if I didn't see my children every day."
Cotterill was one of eight signings made by boss Dean Saunders following Donny's relegation from the Championship and another new boy set up the fifth minute opener.
Billy Paynter - released by Leeds in the summer - fired in a low, angled shot from the left side of the box and Grof could only palm the ball to co-striker Chris Brown, 27, who prodded in from three yards.
Impressive winger Kyle Bennett settled the game in the 56th minute.
Former Wolves youngster Bennett, 21, drifted in from the left flank and then curled a twenty yard cracker into the far corner of the net to leave the helpless Grof flapping.
Manager - and former Liverpool striker - Dean Saunders has spent time
working on Bennett's finishing and the youngster revealed:
"That strike is becoming a bit of a trademark for me. The boss has told me
I have a good right foot and to try to use it when I can.
When someone who has scored as many goals as he did in his career tells you
something, you listen. He knows where the net is and does it in training.
Some gaffers try to demo it and can't do it, but he hits the top corner
every time he has a shot. He's still got it and even played ten minutes of a
pre-season game for us at Cleethorpes. He's been a great influence on me."
With wingers like Bennett and Cotterill in the side and feeding the likes of Brown and Paynter, Doncaster fans have every reason to be optimistic about the season to come, but the squad is a small one and so Saunders and the board will need to add to it.
As Bennett pointed out though, working with someone like Saunders should be a massive attraction to any player worth his salt and Bennett, Cotterill and their mates look to be loving the experience.
Walsall had chances to score themselves, but failed to hit the target.
Winger Ashley Hemmings's goal bound shot from the edge of the box (see video below) deflected away for a corner and midfielders Jamie Paterson and Florent Cuvelier both saw efforts go narrowly wide.
Hemmings goes close(ish)
And Doncaster keeper Gary Woods made sure of a clean sheet when he tipped over a cross from Paterson that threatened to dip under his bar.
Walsall's misery continued when former Manchester United youth prospect Fabien Brandy limped off with a hamstring pull only seven minutes after coming on as a substitute.
The result was a little harsh on the Saddlers and they had more chances, but then again, Donny did a very professional job and were worth the win.
Doncaster manager Saunders was delighted with it and said:
"We've signed players with the right attitude. Attitude first, talent second.
We scored three great goals and could've had a few more. The first goal was brilliant considering the two strikers had never played together before. The second was like Beckham's against Wimbledon."
Walsall chief Dean Smith groaned:
"The second goal was the killer for us. They scored two wonderful goals that would have graced the Championship last season.
It's a bit of a work in progress at the moment, but we'll dust ourselves down, get in the ice baths and recover for a battle against Oldham on Tuesday."
My piece from Sunday's paper
My clipping from this morning's paper
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