Coca-Cola Championship
Tuesday 16th February 2010
Whether it be James Hayter's opening day header from outside the box at Watford, Waide Fairhurst's debut finish at West Bromwich Albion or one of Jay Emmanuel-Thomas' thunderbolt attempts, the 2009/10 season produced some memorable goals for Doncaster Rovers.
There were plenty of fascinating moments and it was, of course, the campaign where Billy Sharp arrived on the scene (then on loan from Sheffield United) and became a hugely popular figure for his passionate displays and euphoric celebrations - none more so than in the 'derby day' clash with Sheffield Wednesday where his late header consigned his old manager, Brian Laws, to the sack.
However, top of the pile for spectacular goals was in the other game against the Owls when Elliott Ward's acrobatic effort helped Rovers achieve their first EVER win at Hillsborough.
It was his debut so what a way to make an impact!
Going into the clash at Hillsborough, Sean O'Driscoll's team were comfortably positioned in a mid-table berth and knew that a string of consistent results might be enough to elevate them into becoming genuine play-off contenders.
Mercurial talents such as Brian Stock and James Coppinger were at the peak of their powers whilst Rovers' symbolic style of play had earned many admirers and brought about nicknames such as 'The Arsenal of the North'. This team was a force to be reckoned with and, on their day, a match for anyone else in the Championship.
At Sheffield Wednesday, the story was very different.
With Laws having been sacked for poor results, Alan Irvine was left to pick up the pieces and try and guide the club away from the relegation zone - something which he ultimately couldn't do, with the Owls going don on the final day after a dramatic draw with Crystal Palace. Years later, the Scotsman later admitted that he wouldn't have took the job had he realised the full gravity of the problems - testament to just how bad things must have been!
Though Hillsborough was less than full with a crowd of 22,252 turning out, the travelling Rovers faithful in the Upper Tier of the Leppings Lane End were in full voice as the teams emerged to the traditional 'Hi Ho Silver Lining Anthem' ahead of kick-off.
Ultimately, they'd have plenty to shout about during the course of the night.
Despite their lowly league status, the Owls probed and pressed throughout the early exchanges but profligacy from front two pairing Marcus Tudgay, who squandered a golden opportunity with a drive which was turned onto the post by Neil Sullivan, and Luke Varney meant they weren't able to make a breakthrough which they probably deserved. Tom Soares, on loan from Stoke City, also went close with a powerful low drive which struck the base of the right-hand post.
As half-time approached, Rovers had established a foothold - moving the ball with fluidity, confidence and charisma before the moment arrived which still lives long in the memory!
Nobody could have predicted what was about to unfold when Sharp received possession - doing well by twisting and turning inside the hosts' box as he attempted to carve out an opening. Eventually, his ball at chest height across the box was flicked on before it reached Ward, who with his back to the target, readjusted himself and exquisitely connected with a bicycle kick which sent the ball flying past Lee Grant, via a deflection off the underside of the woodwork.
There was simply nothing the Owls 'keeper could have done. It was a purely phenomenal moment of magic and it meant Doncaster Rovers had the lead.
Whilst those in blue and white striped shirts might have had a half-time rollicking, the message in the Donny dressing room would have been for more of the same and a confident second half performance saw the points effectively wrapped up when Wednesday's James O'Connor (a guy with ginger hair and not to be confused with Rovers' right-back of the same name) put through his own net.
It was a vintage night in a vintage season during a vintage era - and it was followed by a good singalong on the bus on the way home as Savage Garden's 'Truly Madly Deeply' played aloud over the radio - it captured the moment perfectly!
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| James O'Connor - programme cover star on the night he scored his own goal. |
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