This season, Prostate Cancer UK is the official charity of the
Football League. To celebrate, each week
footballer-turned-journalist Adrian Clarke - who played for
Arsenal, Rotherham, Southend, Carlisle and Stevenage - is rounding
up the best performances by No9s in the Football League, in
recognition of the fact that prostate
cancer affects one in nine men. In week five (Saturday 15
September), he heralds a goal-hungry wolf, a match-winning veteran
and the target man bringing the smiles back to
Bradford...
Heads we win: Sylvan Ebanks-Blake found the target for Wolves. Photo courtesy of Action Images
Championship star
No9
Sylvan Ebanks-Blake -
Wolves
Why?
Languishing in the bottom three at kick-off, Wolves were a bag of
nerves ahead of their clash with wedged-up Leicester. The fact that
they'd won just once at Molineux in the whole of 2012 didn't ease
the pressure, but, right on cue, just when Wolves needed him most,
the big No9 stepped up to save them from further embarrassment.
Attacking a straightforward free-kick at the far post, Ebanks-Blake
thundered a fabulous 13th-minute header into the back of the net to
calm everyone down. It was a moment that provided the platform for
a much-needed, if edgy, 2-1 victory for Stale Solbakken's men over
their Midlands rivals.
Did you
know?
The Cambridge-born striker was offered the chance to play for
Jamaica by then Reggae Boyz boss John Barnes in 2008, but instead
opted to play for England Under-21s, for whom he made just one
appearance.
No9s scored
seven per cent of the Championship's haul of 41 goals last
weekend
League One
star No9
Gary Alexander -
Crawley Town
Why?
Strikers with No9 on their back tend to relish the physical
battle, and it's fair to say that Crawley's 33-year-old frontman
enjoys it when the going gets rough. In a tempestuous match against
Preston, Alexander's strength, desire and skill made all the
difference, earning the Sussex club a famous 2-1 win at Deepdale.
The striker's first goal saw him sprint on to a high ball to thump
home a splendid header, but his second was the killer blow, as he
outmuscled his marker with a clever turn before curling home a
sumptuous finish with the outside of his right boot. Top-quality
stuff.
Did you
know?
Alexander lit up Wembley Stadium in the 2009 League One play-off
final, scoring for Millwall against Scunthorpe with a 30-yard
wonder strike. Despite Alexander scoring a second goal, the Lions
still lost 3-2 in extra-time.
No9s scored
an amazing 20 per cent of League One's goals last
weekend
League Two
star No9
James Hanson -
Bradford City
Why?
It's been a barren few years for Bradford, but the Valley Parade
faithful are smiling again, and at the heart of their revival is
No9 Hanson. Born and bred in the area, the 24-year-old is a big hit
with the Bantams fans, who have seen him notch four goals so far
this season. Standing 6ft 4in tall, Hanson scares the living
daylights out of defenders, and on Saturday he used his extra
height to great effect when nodding home a deflected free-kick from
inside the six-yard box. Bradford went on to record a comfortable
3-0 win over struggling Barnet and move into the play-off places -
this could be a big season for Hanson and his hometown club.
Did you
know?
Four years ago Hanson was working at a Bradford Co-op supermarket
while plying his trade as a prolific non-league goalscorer with
Guiseley Town.
No9s scored
a respectable 16 per cent of League Two's goals last
weekend