Ten years ago today, Wycombe Wanderers’ League Two match against Bristol Rovers ended in somewhat unique circumstances at Adams Park.
It was the start of the 2012/13 season and both teams were aiming for promotion back to League One.
The Chairboys had been relegated into the fourth tier in May of that calendar year, whilst Rovers were now in their second campaign in the division following their demotion in 2011.
The match was a somewhat average affair in terms of play, as the away side took a 3-1 lead at half-time.
Lee Brown gave the West Country outfit a three-minute lead before Richard Logan equalised for Wycombe just five minutes later with his first goal for the club.
He had joined from Exeter City that summer.
A bolt of lightning struck the dreams stand at Adams park, where @Official_BRFC fans were seated.#WWFC #brfc
— Football Ground News (@GroundNews) August 25, 2012
Rovers would then smash home two quick-fire goals from Eliot Richards just before the break before things suddenly turned.
The first-half was played in somewhat humid but dry and cloudy weather.
The second-half however turned torrential as heavy rain battered parts of Adams Park.
The match continued but after numerous struggles on the pitch as it was difficult for the players, the attention turned towards the fans as it was revealed a bolt of lightning hit the away stand.
This caught the attention of the matchday and health officials present in Buckinghamshire that day, and after 15 minutes of deliberation, it was decided that the game would be abandoned at 63 minutes with Rovers 3-1 up.
Dodged a very large Bristol Rovers coloured bullet today. THANK GOD THE REF CALLED IT OFF!! #wycombewanderers
— Malcolm Upton (@Alky007) August 25, 2012
Of course, the match was null and void but Rovers felt incredibly grieved by the decision that they opted to make an official complaint to the Football League.
Then chairman, Nick Higgins, said: "We were all very disappointed not to record our first win of the season at Wycombe on Saturday.
"It was very upsetting to have the game abandoned, especially after we had put in such a strong performance.
"Although we have questions regarding the decision, I think the important thing now is to move on and use the situation to spur us on.
Adams Park here I come. Prepare for thunderbolts and lightning.
— Dale (@thehurmanator) August 25, 2012
"As a club we have sent a letter of complaint regarding the situation to the Football League, and we await a response."
Wanderers responded back with: "The club is aware that a complaint has been made by Bristol Rovers to the Football League.
"We are reviewing the content and will respond accordingly.
"We are confident the right decision was taken to abandon the game, with everyone’s safety within Adams Park, as always, the highest priority."
Ten years ago today, our League 2 meeting with Bristol Rovers was abandoned midway through the second half due to a lightning strike, with the visitors leading 3-1.
— Wycombe Wanderers (@wwfcofficial) August 25, 2022
The referee was Andy Davies, who took charge of last night's 3-1 defeat to Bristol City.#Chairboys pic.twitter.com/epvw3n62jb
Bristol Rovers' complaint was eventually thrown out and a rescheduled match took place on Saturday, December 1, 2012.
#OTD Saturday 1st December 2012
— Chairboys on the Net - Paul Lewis (@GasmanCOTN) December 1, 2021
Wycombe Wanderers 2
Bristol Rovers 0
Lightning doesn't strike twice 🌩 https://t.co/bKVmQzLFpM
This ended in 2-0 win for Wycombe which saw Joel Grant and then player-manager Gareth Ainsworth get onto the scoresheet.
Ainsworth's diving header in front of the terrace end 10 minutes into the second period was his final goal for the club.
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