Rovers Surge To Victory

An inspired performance by debutant Sergio Peter insured a comfortable 3-0 victory for Rovers as they cruised into the fourth round.

Peter who has been impressing in the reserves recently set up all three goals including two for the recalled Bellamy, who hasn?t started a game for Blackburn since early December. In fact Mark Hughes made five changes to the side which beat Portsmouth 2-1 by also recalling Tugay, David Thompson and Andy Todd to the starting line up.

The changes paid-off as it was Todd who opened the scoring with 17 minutes played. Paul Dickov forced a good save out of Simon Royce but from the resulting corner Peter whipped the ball into the far post where an unmarked Todd nodded the ball into the back of the net.

Bellamy and Lucas Neill then had further chances to put Rovers 2-0 up before Peter became involved again. This time picking up the ball on the left and crossing for Bellamy who turned and struck a volley into the bottom corner.

Q.P.R to this point had created little and it was only until part way through the second half that they began to exert any pressure. However, it was still Rovers who were creating the better openings. On 50 minutes Peter shot just wide after a clever one-two with Dickov. Nineteen minutes later the young German was terrorising the Q.P.R defence again this time beating Gareth Ainsworth on the left before finding Bellamy in the area who first time pass found Savage, who found the stand behind the goal.

As the game went on Rangers began to push more men forward in search of a comeback Ainsworth forced Friedel into his first meaningful save of the game and the Baidoo went close with ten minutes remaining after being put through by Scott Donnelly. However, it was Peters? day and when he played in Craig Bellamy with four minutes remaining the Welshman cooly clipped the ball over Royce for number three.

With big games against Manchester United and Bolton in the coming week Peter has put his case forward for a regular starting place as Rovers look to utilise their squad. The only thing he didn?t do is score but as Mark Hughes admitted on the official website he was happy with his performance.

?We are pleased for him, he?s been knocking on the door and he got his opportunity today and did very well.?