Goalfest as Rovers Triumph!

Top of the table, undefeated after 5 games and banging them in the net for fun. A dream start for Blackburn Rovers Championship campaign. The latest victims on this year’s journey were Bristol City Rovers, who to their credit, gave it one hell of a shake.

Steve Kean chose to continue with the formidable partnership of Jordan Rhodes and Nuno Gomes up front, whilst Markus Olsson was preferred to twin brother Martin at left back.

Robinson
Orr, Givet, Dann, Markus Olsson
Ribiero, Murphy, Etuhu, Gamst
N Gomes
J Rhodes

The home team were off to a dream start. Barely a minute had gone on the clock as Albert Adamoah picked up the scraps in the Rovers box, stabbing it in from 8 yards out. 1-0 Bristol. Jordan Rhodes had the opportunity to restore parity, his driving effort drilled straight at Heaton.

In what was an open and entertaining encounter, both teams continued to create chances early on with defence thrown well out the window. This showed for Rovers equaliser, a critical error by the Bristol Centre-half saw Rhodes released unmarked, chipping away at his 8 million pound price stage, calmly slotting his one-on-one opportunity, 1-1.

Rovers were hit by a double injury blow, Markus Olsson making way for his twin Martin whilst Givet was forced off the field, Grant Hanley the replacement.

The second half continued to display an open, attacking fixture. However it was the away side who troubled the scorers. Veteran Nuno Gomes showed every bit of class, spinning off his marker and bending in his effort after a neat flick on by Jordan Rhodes. Blackburn 2-1. Rovers pushed on, but in attempt to claim a 2 goal lead, lapsed in defence. Adamoah showed some trickery down the right flank, skipping through Gamst and Olsson before finding Pearson in the box who took the opportunity, 2-2.

The goals continued to flow with impact substitute Ruben Rochina racing through from his own half, leaving a man or two on his way before dancing over his man in the box and slotting it in the top left corner with 7 minutes to play. Blackburn 3-2. Whilst Rovers were still celebrating, Bristol took full advantage of more sloppy marking. Sam Baldock was given every opportunity to turn and strike, his 18 yard effort slipping past Paul Robinson who could of done better. 3-3.

The clock ticked on, yet their was just enough time for a winner, and a fifth. Morten Gamst Pedersen’s cross landed on the penalty spot, with Centre-Half Scott Dann reacting swiftly, his sweetly struck volley giving Blackburn a 4-3 lead.

With the final whistle about to blow, Jordan Rhodes showed every bit of class, dribbling into the 18 yard box before standing off his man and bending a delightful effort into the far corner, a 5-3 victory for the undefeated Rovers