Derby Day Draw in Lancashire

Blackburn Rovers managed to continue their never ending run, avoiding defeat in front of a 21000 strong crowd, with both sets of supporters vocal until the very end.

Manager Henning Berg decided to restore Jason Lowe, Morten Gamst Pedersen and Colin Kazim Richards to the starting line up, sending out Blackburn in a 4-4-2 formation

Robinson
Henley, Hanley, Dann, Martin O
Formica, Murphy, Lowe, Gamst
CKR, Rhodes

With Rovers supporters ushered into Turf Moor via police escort, it was always going to be a tense and fiesty encounter. However it was the home side that enjoyed the opening phases. Blackburn would be thankful for a super performance in defence by Scott Dann, who showed his presence on the game early on, a desperate intervention preventing the in form Austin from unleashing at goal. Dann would be called on again several times within minutes of each other, positioning himself well to clear floating crosses, whilst putting his body on the line when Wallace struck from distance.

Whilst Dann was marshalling the defence well, Rovers failed to maintain any possession in midfield, Mauro Formica and MGP the culprits, wasting the ball on several occasions. The pressure finally started to tell as Burnley found cracks in the Rovers rear guard. Paul Robinson was called into action, parrying a Wallace strike wide. He was called into action a few more times, a superb save preventing Austin from getting on the score sheet whilst with only minutes to go, he turned Paterson’s attempt over, ensuring Berg would have an opportunity to have a few kind words at the break with Rovers still in it.

Whatever Henning Berg said at the interval failed to make much of a difference, with Burnley continuing on their merry path, moving the ball well and forcing Rovers into retreat mode. The introduction of Josh King provided Rovers some much needed inspiration, the pace and confidence of the young man turning the game on its heels. Rovers immediately looked dangerous, surging forward with pace as King took the bull by the horns, charging on all cylinders. With his constant presence, King forced Burnley into defensive mode and with Rovers first opportunity came the fixture’s first goal.

Adam Henley, making the right full back position his own, found Formica free down the right flank. The Argentinian who had been wasteful in the first half made the most of the occasion this time, a delightful cross well pounced on by no other than Jordan Rhodes, burying past Grant in goals, 1-0 Blackburn.

The match suddenly livened, Rovers supporters in full voice whilst the home outfit pushed men up front. CKR looked dangerous for Rovers whilst Austin, Marney and Wallace continued to threaten.

Burnley did start to create chances with 10 to go, however Dann and Hanley remained up to the task until Blackburn’s failure to close out games once again showed. A soft free kick given away by Simon Vukcevic saw the ball sent into the box from distance. Sam Vokes, with his first touch of the game, managed to direct the ball into the corner of the net, equalising in the 89th minute. 1-1

With Burnley dominating the first and Rovers the second, a draw would be a fair result, ensuring Blackburn Rovers remaining unbeaten in 34 years against Burnley.