A linesman appeared to be knocked over by a fan during the Sheffield Wednesday pitch invasion as fans celebrated their team’s historic comeback win over Peterborough on Thursday evening. After a 4-0 first-leg deficit, Darren Moore’s men battled back to take the return tie to extra-time, before each side scored once in the additional half-an-hour to ensure that a penalty shoot-out would decide who advances to Wembley.
Jack Hunt scored the winning spot kick to send the Hillsborough crowd into raptures as they completed one of the most stunning comebacks in English football history, but as supporters went onto the pitch to celebrate with the team they knocked over the linesman to the ground.
Another fan did take the time to help usher him to safety off the pitch after helping the linesman get back to his feet before exiting. The players were celebrating on the pitch but were quickly swarmed by fans that had overwhelmed security and made it onto the grass, as their stars were quickly ushered back into the dressing rooms to jubilant scenes in Sheffield.
Boss Moore spoke after the game to explain the key role that the Wednesday fans had in the comeback. “The key was the fans,” he told Sky Sports. “I pleaded to them to come out in their numbers and full voice and they’ve given us that all season. They [the players] kept going. Why? Because the fans drove them on. The message to the fans is thanks very much.”
“I’ve slept at night because I knew I had done all I could in preparation. I’ve kept the belief with the players. When you think what we’ve done from being four goals down. To do it with penalties is remarkable.
“Tomorrow I’ll watch the game and then the preparation starts. We enjoy tonight, get up tomorrow morning. We’ve got a detailed session planned we’ve had all month.”
Wednesday captain Barry Bannan was forced to conduct his post-match interview down the tunnel as opposed to the usual on-pitch chat or in the media area, as he had a message for the club’s fans that booed them after the first leg defeat and aimed racial abuse at Moore.
“Those who were booing us last week saying we’re not fit to wear the shirt, have a look at this,” Bannan said. “What he [Darren Moore] has done is unbelievable, to turn around the mindset of the players. I’m so proud of him how he’s handled this week after the racism he’s experienced. That one’s for him.
“Everybody wrote us off. Everybody told us we couldn’t do it but it’s unbelievable. We’ve watched comebacks all week. It was all about believing. When we have the fans behind us, anything is possible.”
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