Soccer

Billy Sharp hits hat-trick on Doncaster farewell to sink Peterborough

Published by Press Association Sport Staff

2, May

Veteran Billy Sharp hit a hat-trick on his Doncaster swansong to earn Rovers a 3-1 win at Peterborough on the final day of the League One season.

The 40-year-old, who announced last week he is leaving the club, scored a second-half treble to take his career tally to 299 goals.

The first half was a low-key affair with chances at a premium. Harry Leonard and Ben Woods came close for the hosts, with Rovers’ George Broadbent denied from the best opportunity for the visitors.

The game then burst into life in the 54th minute, with Broadbent pouncing on a short backpass close to the Peterborough area and feeding Sharp, who made no mistake from a few yards out.

He doubled his tally from close range 19 minutes later before Leonard’s low effort from distance halved the deficit.

Sharp then smashed home a third in the 79th minute and even thought he had scored a fairytale 300th career goal, only for the offside flag to deny him.