Elliot Anderson scored a crucial late winner in a quite incredible clash between Bristol Rovers and Rochdale over the weekend.
The Newcastle United loanee not only took his tally to seven goals and three assists in 20 appearances for The Gas, but his 95th minute header left Joey Barton’s side in with an outside chance of earning automatic promotion to League One ahead of the final weekend of the league season.
After being 3-1 down at Rochdale with less than 25 minutes of normal time to play, Rovers scored three late goals to seal a stunning 4-3 win that leaves them level with Northampton in third.
You can watch full highlights of the thrilling game below, which features Anderson’s late winner and the mini pitch-invasion that followed!
Here’s a reminder of what Barton had to say about the 19-year-old Geordie a few weeks back:
“I have been listening a lot to Bill Shankly in the last couple of days, certainly this afternoon, I had about four hours listening to different talks, listening to him talk about football. Not much has really changed, the simple concept of football and what it takes, players’ size and players’ heights.
“In there, he talks about a 19 year old Diego Maradona and he is talking about how good a player he thinks he is going to be. He compares him to Tom Finney, he says Tom Finney is the greatest player he has ever seen. When a man like Bill Shankly says that, you have to take notice.
“He spoke about Tom Finney’s ability to be able to beat you with his back to goal. He said the difference with Tom was , when he faced you up and looked at you, he could also take you on, but when he got in and around the penalty area he slowed down and he was mega-calculated.
“When I see young Billy Elliot [Elliot Anderson!]…it’s far too early to compare him to those greats over the years but he certainly excites you.
“The goal he scores tonight, it ends up being the match winner, but his overall performance…I thought he was a real stand out performer on the park tonight.
“I thought he showed another gear, another level.”
“How he slows down in the penalty area. Exactly like Elliot Anderson does. Such a talent.”
Unfortunately Billy’s “goal” was touched in by Aaron Collins for his hat-trick, ratified now by the EFL. Doesn’t make any difference, he’s still a quality player, and will serve you guys well in times to come.
Nick Clark(Quote)