IT has been a long, a very long, time since Stuart Ripley had the chance to celebrate that special feeling of scoring a goal at senior level.

In fact, it was three years, eight months and four days from his previous strike at Southampton on April 16, 1994, to Saturday's champagne moment.

And, in terms of games played, it seems even longer. For, before stepping out against West Ham on Saturday, the Rovers winger had started 102 first team games and made 10 appearances as a sub since that day at the Dell.

But the frustrations were forgotten as Ewood roared with relief to salute one of their favourites and his moment of glory came just 22 minutes into Saturday's game.

"I wouldn't have cared if it had gone in off my backside, it's just nice to score and stop all the silly talk," said Rippers after heading the opener. "But I've had that much stick over the last couple of years, it was only right that the rest of the lads should jump all over me when I scored.

"I have played better than that and sometimes you can play extremely well but don't get a mention if you don't score. I didn't let it get me down and I have been creating a few goals which is pleasing.

"It's nice to get on the scoresheet but the most important thing is for the team to get three points."

Manager Roy Hodgson was delighted for the winger: "He's been very close before and it's great for Stuart. He took it very well and let's hope it doesn't take as long to score again.

"I think the thing that will surprise him most is that he scored with a header because he's not famed as a Nat Lofthouse type and no doubt that will be his new nickname from now on. I can imagine him being called Nat for the rest of the week."

Ripley's goals may be rare and headers even rarer. But Rovers fans will remember that it was the winger who scored the club's first-ever Premier League goal at Crystal Palace in August 1992 - with a header!

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