REMARKABLE ROVERS NET PROMOTION GLORY WITH EPIC VICTORY
JOEY Barton said he was “so proud” of his Bristol Rovers team after they crushed Scunthorpe 7-0 to seal automatic promotion from League Two in the most dramatic of styles.
Rovers snatched third place from Northampton on goals scored after netting five times in the second half, with Elliot Anderson’s decisive seventh in the 85th minute sparking a pitch invasion by delirious fans.
After a 16-minute delay the match resumed, with Rovers seeing it out to make up their goal difference
deficit on the Cobblers, whose 3-1 win at Barrow was not enough. “There’s been some highs and lows and there’s been some tough moments but one thing that can’t ever be questioned is the character of our team,” said Barton.
“And then as a direct consequence the fanbase have turned up and supported them. They really give everything for the Quarters and you get special football days if you get that recipe. I’m so proud. “I didn’t expect us to win 7-0 today. I don’t think anybody did.
But, again, were we going to do it any other way? Anderson’s cross was put into his own goal by the Iron’s Oliver Lobley after 18 minutes to give the hosts an early lead. Connor Taylor headed in another Anderson cross four minutes later, but it was after the break when the Gas really hit top gear. Aaron Collins drove in from the edge of the area in the 53rd minute, with Anthony Evans rifling in to make it four nine minutes later.
Evans’ sublime free-kick after 76
minutes gave the home side belief the unthinkable might just be achievable.
That increased when Collins tapped home seconds later before Anderson sent the home fans into dreamland with the seventh. Barton, who intends to build a good squad to compete in League One next year to capitalise on the momentum, said achieving promotion was something he would never forget.
“This is definitely up there,” he said. “I think my first promotion as a coach I’ll always remember,
especially as I had two mad court cases in the middle of it. “We’ve got a fantastic group and all we can do is give the blue half of Bristol something to believe in. “The world’s tough. If we can give a little bit of an oasis on the weekend to people then that’s where football’s at its best.” Bristol Rovers’ jubilation meant heartbreak for Northampton, won had won 3-1 at Barrow but must now head for the play-offs.
A brace from Sam Hoskins either side of Fraser Horsfall’s header had put the Cobblers in control.
The Bluebirds pulled a goal back when Josh Kay nodded in a minute before the break. Northampton finished with 10 men following a late red for goalkeeper Liam Roberts when he handled the ball outside the area, which will see him suspended in the first leg of the play-off semi-final against Mansfield.
Swindon ended the campaign in sixth place after a 3-0 victory at Walsall.
Harry Mckirdy’s 19th goal of the season put the Robins into an early lead with Jack Payne adding
a double, the second from the penalty spot, ahead of half-time to secure a fourth straight victory. Sutton just missed out on the playoffs by a point despite a 2-0 win at Harrogate with goals in each half from Craig Eastmond and Isaac Olaofe.
Tranmere finished two points off the top seven after Kane Hemmings’ goal late in the first half gave them a 1-0 win at Leyton Orient.
Relegated Oldham drew 3-3 against Crawley at Boundary Park, where there had been protests
before the match against owner Abdallah Lemsagam.
Jack Stobbs put the hosts ahead before David Keillor-dunn swiftly made it 2-0.
Crawley - who parted company with manager John Yems following an investigation into claims he used discriminatory language and behaviour against his own players - levelled before the break through George Francomb and James Tilley. Jordan Clarke had Oldham in front again on the hour, but Aramide Oteh levelled things up again with 20 minutes left as the Latics saw
their 115-year stay in the Football League come to an end. Elsewhere, goals from Lee Angol and Jamie Walker helped Bradford sign off with a 2-0 home win over Carlisle.
Rochdale won 2-0 at Newport with Abraham Odoh scoring late on to add to Matt Done’s first-half effort. John Akinde and Chay Cooper were on target as Colchester finished the campaign with a 2-0 win at Hartlepool.
Stevenage came from behind to beat Salford 4-2 at the Lamex Stadium.