Courageous Sharp Pays Perfect Tribute To Son


Doncaster Rovers 1-3 Middlesbrough
Npower Championship
Keepmoat Stadium
Att: 9792


The tragic loss of Doncaster striker Billy Sharp’s two day old son invariably dominated proceedings and occupied the thoughts of everyone through the evening.
The game itself was settled by Scottish midfielder Barry Robson, whose double lifted Middlesbrough to third and ensured Doncaster sank to the foot of the Championship.
Amid a backdrop of boos for Doncaster’s latest recruit El Hadji Diouf from Boro fans, there was a united and sympathetic approach to Sharp’s situation, with both sets of supporters admiring and applauding his bravery for even playing.
It was perhaps fitting that after 14 minutes, Sharp (above) scored the first – and arguably best goal of the night - a left footed volley which flew over Jason Steele and prompted the goalscorer to display a printed message on a t-shirt which poignantly read: “THAT’S FOR YOU, SON.”
Middlesbrough showed their resilience however, and proved why they have to – at just a point off 2nd place – be taken as serious promotion contenders. Robson grabbed his first on the half hour mark, breaking clear on the left flank before rifling low past a despairing Neil Sullivan from 18 yards.
Tony Mowbray’s men, who had won just once in eight games prior, saw themselves take the lead in first half stoppage time. The tireless substitute Faris Haroun got to the by-line and cut back for Marvin Emnes to stab home from close range, where the ball squirmed under Sullivan’s grasp.
Haroun was nearly the architect of another goal in the 55th minute, as he squared for Scott McDonald, only for Pascal Chimbonda to block the Australian’s drive. The ball ricocheted back to the Belgian Haroun, who spectacularly blazed across the face of goal from an acute angle.
The next Boro attack though saw the visitors kill off the game. Emnes had his fierce drive parried and, in the ensuing melee, Chimbonda was adjudged to have felled Tony McMahon – Robson slammed home to secure the hard earned three points.
The result categorically signifies the end of Dean Saunders’ renaissance period at Doncaster, with only one point coming from their last five matches.
However, there can be no doubt that football took a back seat on an extremely moving night for William Sharp, his family, friends and colleagues.

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