[h=3]Albion loan ace reveals goal method[/h] 12:00pm Sunday 4th May 2014 in Sport By Andy Naylor
Stephen Ward just concentrated on keeping the ball down - and it paid off
Stephen Ward has revealed what went through his mind as he struck Albion's vital equaliser at Nottingham Forest.
The left-back on loan from Wolves scored with a right foot drive following a corner to get the Seagulls back in the game at the City Ground early in the second half.
The significance of Ward's fourth goal this year, at the ground where he was sent-off last season with Wolves, was emphasised when Leo Ulloa nodded the late winner from Craig Mackail-Smith's cross to grab the final play-off spot from Reading.
Ward told The Argus: "We said at half-time it was important we got the next goal. We weren't great in the first half, we looked a bit off it.
"Credit to them. They forced us into maybe changing the way we played but second half we really went for it and it was important to get the first goal.
"I was grateful it went in. When it came to me I just thought 'keep this bloody thing down!' Thankfully I did and it nestled in the bottom corner.
"It gave us a platform really to go on. As the game wore on and we were coming into the last ten minutes we needed a goal and the management made some really bold substitutions, put a lot of attacking players on the pitch.
"Kaz (Kazenga LuaLua) made a massive difference and I was delighted to see Macca (Craig Mackail-Snith) come on and have the impact we all know he can have. To put a ball in like that was fantastic, especially at that stage of the game.
"Leo's done what he does best. He's an absolute menace in that box. We're very grateful to have him in our side."
Original article
Stephen Ward has revealed what went through his mind as he struck Albion's vital equaliser at Nottingham Forest.
The left-back on loan from Wolves scored with a right foot drive following a corner to get the Seagulls back in the game at the City Ground early in the second half.
The significance of Ward's fourth goal this year, at the ground where he was sent-off last season with Wolves, was emphasised when Leo Ulloa nodded the late winner from Craig Mackail-Smith's cross to grab the final play-off spot from Reading.
Ward told The Argus: "We said at half-time it was important we got the next goal. We weren't great in the first half, we looked a bit off it.
"Credit to them. They forced us into maybe changing the way we played but second half we really went for it and it was important to get the first goal.
"I was grateful it went in. When it came to me I just thought 'keep this bloody thing down!' Thankfully I did and it nestled in the bottom corner.
"It gave us a platform really to go on. As the game wore on and we were coming into the last ten minutes we needed a goal and the management made some really bold substitutions, put a lot of attacking players on the pitch.
"Kaz (Kazenga LuaLua) made a massive difference and I was delighted to see Macca (Craig Mackail-Snith) come on and have the impact we all know he can have. To put a ball in like that was fantastic, especially at that stage of the game.
"Leo's done what he does best. He's an absolute menace in that box. We're very grateful to have him in our side."
- Oscar proud of Albion's comeback knack
- Albion loan ace reveals goal method
- Barnes backs Albion to join him in top flight
- Video - The goals from the City Ground and the Madejski Stadium which sent Albion into the play-offs
- Video - How a fan captured Ulloa's winner and the celebrations
Original article