Former Lincoln City forward Francis Okoronkwo had a big impact for his new club on Saturday afternoon, finding the net for Doncaster Rovers as they were held to a 3-3 draw by Wigan Athletic in League One.
Okoronkwo, on loan from Everton, struck inside the opening 10 minutes to give Rovers an early lead, capping a bright start after overcoming recent injury concerns. It was the first of three first-half goals for Doncaster, who looked on course to secure a vital win in their battle to climb away from danger before a dramatic second-half collapse saw them pegged back.
While the result ultimately proved frustrating for Rovers, it was still a notable afternoon for the 21-year-old, who celebrated his first goal for the club since arriving earlier this month. Having managed his minutes carefully following a hamstring issue, Okoronkwo was withdrawn just after the hour mark, shortly after Wigan began their comeback, with his absence felt as Doncaster struggled to retain possession higher up the pitch.
Speaking after the game, Doncaster manager Grant McCann was keen to highlight the striker’s contribution while explaining the decision to replace him.
“He was really good and it was good to see him score… His performance was good. ”
We have got a really busy schedule coming up and the last thing we needed was to expose him to any more fatigue in that hamstring.”
Okoronkwo spent the first half of the season with the Imps, where his physical presence and willingness to lead the line offered a useful option in Michael Skubala’s squad. He didn’t impress as such, but acted as a nice complement during those winter months with EFL Trophy games and the like coming thick and fast. His only Imps league goal this campaign had come against Doncaster while wearing red and white, before being recalled by Everton and subsequently sent out on loan again.
That header at the Bank was a reminder of his potential, even if opportunities proved limited overall during his spell with City. Since moving on, Okoronkwo has looked determined to make an immediate impact, and his early goal for Doncaster suggests he is keen to use this loan move to build momentum and confidence.