ANYONE fancying a flutter on which Doncaster Rovers player will score the first goal for the club in tomorrow's League One promotion play-off second leg clash against Southend United at the Keepmoat Stadium could do worse than put their money on Gareth Roberts.
You could get decent odds on Roberts considering the fact that he is a left-back and has scored just twice in his two years at the club.
But what the bookies probably didn't know, until now, is that both the former Welsh international defender's goals have been scored against the Shrimpers!
Roberts has been able to push forward more this season due to Rovers operating with just three at the back on a number of occasions, and is the only Doncaster player to have scored in both league games against the Shrimpers.
Roberts, who has shared the responsibilities with Brian Stock this season, scored his first goal for the club in the 3-2 defeat at Roots Hall in September from a 22 yard free-kick which just clipped the defensive wall.
He was also on target in the 3-1 win in the return at the Keepmoat Stadium over the festive period.
Another man who could be worth a punt is striker Jason Price. He may be carrying a hamstring problem but it didn't seem to unduly affect his game at Roots Hall and proved to be Rovers biggest threat on the night.
Only a superb stop by Southend keeper Darryl Flahavan denied the Welshman a 64th minute goal from arguably the best chance of the match. Price also had a 25 yard volley saved by the keeper in the second half.
Fans' favourite Price has proved to be the man for the big occasion before, scoring the late winner against Crewe in last season's Johnstone's Paints Trophy semi-final second-leg at the Keepmoat.
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