‘Long time coming’ - Doncaster Rovers captain Owen Bailey delighted after Sheffield Wednesday win
Owen Bailey was the hero for Doncaster Rovers in a 2-0 victory over Sheffield Wednesday
Club captain Owen Bailey spearheaded Doncaster Rovers to an impressive 2-0 victory over League One promotion hopefuls Sheffield Wednesday in a performance which marked the team’s best display of the season so far.
The former Newcastle United man scored both of Rovers’ goals inside the first 16 minutes at the Club Doncaster Sports Village to take his tally to three for the season.
It was just the third time that Bailey has scored a brace in his club career so far and quite possibly his most memorable to date in Red and White.
After scoring Bailey said: “Yeah, delighted. I feel like it's been a long time coming. A few things wouldn't quite go in here and there, so obviously buzzing that two of them have gone in and can't believe their keeper has pulled that last one out at the bottom corner, but the win was the most important thing. Just delighted to get the win really.”
Commenting on the performance on the whole, he added: “I think the conditions weren’t great and obviously we had to weather the storm a bit at times.
“I thought we defended brilliantly and I thought our keeper was brilliant, Tommy, so some great saves by him. They were really, really good.
“We also showed a different side of our game in the second half, but a massive win and obviously one the fans can enjoy.”
The win over Wednesday notably marked Bailey’s 149th consecutive appearance for Doncaster Rovers.
The midfielder has already surpassed the long-standing record held by Bert Tindill, who featured 140 times in a row between September 1948 and December 1951.
Asked on the prospect of reaching 150, Bailey said: “Yeah, it means a lot.
“Obviously, I've touched on it before, but when you've spent a long time out injured like I did earlier in my career, I think availability is something to pride yourself on and obviously being selected is a massive thing.
“So it is massive! Thanks to the gaffer for putting his trust in me and yeah, I think to stay fit and healthy for that long is a massive achievement and obviously one I'm really proud of.”