MEMORABLE MATCH BARNSLEY
JANUARY 17 2015 Rovers saw off local rivals Barnsley with a late winner from Harry Forrester in what was an entertaining game at the Keepmoat Stadium back in January 2015. Rovers dominated for a large part of the game and looked like they would go unrewarded for their efforts with the game looking like it would drift towards a goalless draw, but a stunner five minutes from time by Forrester saw the hosts make it three wins in five games unbeaten in League One. The hosts started brightly, with Curtis Main missing the game’s first great chance to go in front, with James Coppinger swinging the ball into the area, and Main’s effort on goal drifting just wide of the post. Main would go even closer to opening the scorer just minutes later, as he capitalised on Lewin Nyatanga’s miscontrol of Andy Butler’s ball forward. The striker went one-on-one with former Rovers keeper Ross Turnbull, however he could only curl just wide of the far post, sending a real warning to the Barnsley defence that any mistakes would go punished. Rovers began the second half like
they ended the first, with chance after chance going begging, Main and Richie Wellens would both see shots flash wide of the post, before the introduction of Forrester from the bench saw Rovers really step up their game. Within two minutes of coming on, he had seen one curling effort go just wide of the far post, and with the game ticking towards the final five minutes, he stepped up to win the game for Rovers and earn a deserved three points in the South Yorkshire derby. Forrester evaded the challenge of Mason Holgate, shrugging the defender off the ball and onto the ground, cutting inside onto his right foot and looping the ball over Turnbull and into the far corner from the edge of the area, finishing superbly from a tight angle on the edge of the area. Holgate’s afternoon would get even worse in injury time as frustrations boiled over, with the right-back going in late on Nathan Tyson, earning himself a red card after a nasty challenge from behind, and Rovers wouldn’t have to wait long for the full-time whistle to go, with referee Kevin Wright blowing the whistle shortly after, as Rovers secured a big three points.
WHAT HAPPENED NEXT? Rovers finished in 13th in their first season back in League One, with Barnsley finishing just above them in 11th. Rovers inconsistent run of form saw them drop away from the play-off race as they headed into March, only managing to collect three wins from their final 11 games of the season. Barnsley on the other hand enjoyed a strong period over February and March, going nine unbeaten, including six wins on the spin, and securing a 5-0 win on the final day at home to Rochdale. Rovers also gave their fans something to cheer about on the final day of the season, as they secured a 5-2 win over local rivals Scunthorpe United, with Nathan Tyson scoring a hat-trick over the Iron. Winning goal scorer Forrester would move on the following season to Rangers, becoming a key player for the Gers, helping them to reach the Scottish Premier League, before spending last season on loan with AFC Wimbledon. Barnsley defender Holgate would secure a multi-million pound move to Premier League side Everton, and he has since gone on to play for England under-21s, as well as establishing himself in the Toffees’ squad. The game would also see Alex Kiwomya make his first appearance at the Keepmoat Stadium, albeit lining up for the opposition, as he played the full 90 minutes, and he of course signed for Rovers on a permanent deal before the start of last season.
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