EFL: Bristol Rovers win promotion after dramatic final day

-

Bristol Rovers 7 - 0 Scunthorpe

Bristol Rovers pulled off a remarkable 7-0 win over Scunthorpe to seal promotion back to League One.

On a day of drama, the basic task ahead for Bristol Rovers was to get a better result than Northampton, who were away at Barrow. Very few thought it would come like this.

This is what happened.

This is a slightly altered and condensed version of the report that's available on the Bristol Rovers website. Read that here. 

Aaron Collins was the first to threaten but went to ground a little easily in the area and referee Breakspear waved away his protests, before first Sam Finley and then Trevor Clarke let fly with long-range efforts, both of which were off target.

It was one-way Gas traffic for the first 10 minutes, but without a shot on target to trouble the 17-year-old Iron goalkeeper Watson.

A promising move in the 14th minute was curtailed by the offside flag as Luke Thomas played a neat one-two with Sam Finlay, captaining the side in the absence of the suspended Coutts.

However, a minute later, the Gas were ahead as Anderson’s cross was deflected into his own net by the unlucky Delaney as Harry Anderson was waiting to pounce.

It was two-nil in the 21st minute as Elliot Anderson crossed for Connor Taylor to head home. Northampton were 3-0 up at that stage so Bristol Rovers needed another six goals to go up automatically.

Harry Anderson did well to win a corner in the 38th and, when it was cleared, Elliot Anderson almost caught Watson off-guard, forcing the goalkeeper into a smart save at his near post.

A late first-half Barrow goal meant Rovers came out for the second half with a spring in their step.

They so nearly scored straight from the kick-off. Collins sliding in and only a whisker away from connecting with Elliot Anderson’s cross. Luke Thomas then raced clear on goal, only for Watson to pull off a sprawling save as the Gas upped the ante.

Aaron Collins made it 3-0 in the 52nd minute, firing low beyond Watson into the bottom corner. He nearly made it a quickfire double but his shot on the turn was deflected wide. Evans made it 4-0 in the 61st minute; the Filton Ave Figo shooting with the outside of his right foot and beyond Watson.

Sam Nicholson then got on the end of a deep Evans cross, but his header fell agonisingly wide of the post. The Scottish winger then won a free-kick on the edge of the area in the 75th minute. From it, Evans produced yet another moment of magic, curling beyond Watson into the top corner to make it Rovers five-nil up.

It was six just moments later as Collins tapped in from two yards out. At this stage, just one more goal was potentially needed but this all depended on whether Northampton could score again. 

Then came the moment that mattered in the 85th minute as Elliot Anderson rose high at the back post to head home to send Rovers fans crazy.

After a pitch invasion which saw a delay, the game did continue, with proceedings at Barrow already concluded; Northampton had won 3-1, meaning that Rovers knew if they saw out the game, promotion would be secured.

Scunthorpe re-started the game brightly, seemingly intent on spoiling the party, winning a free kick in a dangerous area. Thankfully for Bristol Rovers, they saw out the remaining minutes to seal a remarkable result and an immediate return to League One.

Away reaction

A remarkable afternoon for the home side. For Scunthorpe, another miserable afternoon. They finished the campaign bottom of the EFL, having picked up only 26 points from 46 matches.

Popular posts from this blog

EFL: Ipswich promoted to Premier League

-
Image
Ipswich Town 2 - 0 Huddersfield Town Ipswich Town soared back into the Premier League by cruising to a win over Huddersfield at Portman Road. Wes Burns gave the home side a first-half lead. This was then doubled by Omari Hutchinson early in the second with a shot from the edge of the penalty area. Click here to discover more news from the English Football League. Ipswich have finished the Championship season on 96 points. This is just one less than champions Leicester. They have become the first team since Southampton in 2011-12 to go from League One to the Premier League in successive seasons.  McKenna is also only the fifth manager in the club's history to win promotion to the top flight. This follows Alf Ramsey - later Sir Alf - in 1961, Bill McGarry in 1968, John Lyall in 1992 and George Burley in 2000. He is certainly is some great company there. From a Huddersfield perspective, the result also confirmed that they will be playing in League One next season. They were a Pre
Read more

FA Cup: United win on penalties

-
Image
 Manchester United 3 - 3 Coventry City Manchester United won 4-2 on penalties  United somehow progressed to the FA Cup final for the second successive season, following a dramatic semi-final victory over Coventry City. The Reds edged past the Sky Blues on penalties after a crazy and eventful 120 minutes to set up a rematch of last year's final, against Manchester City. Following goals from Scott McTominay, Harry Maguire and Bruno Fernandes, United appeared to be in total and complete control. Despite having a few chances, it did look like this was one match too far for Coventry. However, goals Ellis Simms and O'Hare reduced the deficit and made things very nervy for Ten Hag's side. Then in stoppage time, Haji Wright kept his nerve in stoppage time to score from the spot and send the game into extra time. Many Manchester United fans were furious at this point.  Disgraceful performance from #mufc https://t.co/sibOvrXJB0 pic.twitter.com/dPV06sMrkJ — Jay Dee (@JDESFNews)
Read more

Premier League: Another strange performance from Manchester United

-
Image
Manchester United 1 - 1 Burnley Zeki Amdouni scored a late penalty to grab what could he a priceless point for relegation-threatened Burnley in the Premier League at Old Trafford. Despite another unconvincing display from Manchester United, they did look well set for victory thanks to Antony's well-taken 79th-minute effort. Then Burnley got a penalty  Although the referee John Brooks managed to miss the foul in real time, unlike against Wolves the video assistant referee, Peter Bankes, stepped in. Substitute Amdouni managed to send the keeper the wrong way and earn Burnley this point  This result moved Burnley to within two points of fourth-bottom Nottingham Forest, whom they play at Turf Moor on the final day of the season.  There could still be a dramatic fight for survival with Burnley, Luton and Forest all scrambling to avoid relegation to the Championship.  You can watch the highlights of the match in the video below. The footage from YouTube is from the official Burnley
Read more