Blackburn (3) 3 Stoke (1) 1 – 10/2/24 3pm
City failed to take this vital game by the horns, and were second best all over the pitch. 8 changes meant that this was not a united side, and only Vidigal’s overall effort was noticeable. Back to square one or worse for Steven Schumacher. Here’s how this unfortunate game unfolded in real time:
A six-pointer must-win for both sides at half-empty Ewood Park. Sad to see two great sides dwindling towards the bottom of the Championship. Rovers with appalling form (one win in 10); and not much worse than Stoke (2 in 10), recovering from that 0-5 kicking by Leicester last week. EIGHT CHANGES! Newbies Niall Ennis and Million Manhoef start upfront-ish for Stoke, and Junior Tchamadeu returns from Africa. Daniel Iversen returns in goal after being “cup-tied” by Leicester.
6.30 Junior lucky not to be yellowed after throwing the ball away after not getting the decision over a throw in! Come on! Is that what he picked up in the Africa Cup??
7.00 0-1 !!! Tyrhys Dolan taps home from a cross from the right by Callum Brittain. SOOOOOO easy.
12.55 Junior takes his time on the edge of Rover’s box, losing the ball! How long does he want??
13.31 Rovers’ Sam Gallagher breaks, but Wilmot does just enough to put him off that his shot goes wide. Could easily have been 0-2.
19.02 0-2 !!! Easy header in the centre by Sammie Szmodics. He even “shhhh” the Stoke supporters. Ryan Hedges headed back the cross from the right (clearly Stoke’s vulnerable left side). Dismal Potters. Losing to the worst form side in the league.
26.12 Vidigal slides off pitch saving a goal kick, but Rovers players cause ill-feeling by taking throw before he’s recovered. Ref steps in.
28.15 McNally makes a strong tackle in the centre circle & is yellow carded, but Szmodics then pushes Burger with both hands in the chest and gets away with it!!! Melee of players results. Then Junior is talked to after an unnecessary clash. Junior not looking match-fit, giving the ball away seconds later.
36.51 0-3 !! Dolan breaks from the right and blasts the ball past Iversen. Stoke falling apart.
38.49 1-3 !!!! Great turn and shot by Niall Ennis, strong inside the box. Right in the corner.
45+2 Great last ditch tackle on Gallagher by Wilmot keeps the scoreline down…
45+4 Szmodics almost makes it 4 with a volley diverted over.
HT Rovers 3 City 1
47.20 Penalty!! to Stoke as Vidigal goes down breaking into the area under challenge by Brittain.
48.10 SAVED!!! Daniel Johnson’s penalty is saved easily by keeper Aynsley Pears. Not Stoke’s day.
Attendance 15,104 (3.300 visitors)
54.00 Junior yellow carded. It’s been coming.
55.40 Schumacher applauds a cross ball by Million Manhoef that shoots past DJ.
59.50 SUBS ON THE HOUR: Baker, Hoever, and Cundle on for Johnson, Manhoef and Gooch.
62.30 Wilmot in the area takes a shot! Surprised to see him there. Easy save for Pears.
70.10 Ennis goes down with a head injury as he is “nutted” by Kyle McFadzean as he goes past, supposedly somewhere near the ball, but I’m not sure! Foul given, but that was a poor challenge to say the least!! No card even. Kyle ends up with a bandage round his head though. Hm.
75.30 Iversen has to tip a deflected shot over the bar for a corner. Rovers pressing.
77.20 Haksabanovic and Wesley on for Burger and McNally. Last throw of the dice by Schumacher.
83.35 Again, lucky that Rovers haven’t made it 4. Steven Schumacher has thrown in everything but the kitchen sink but Rovers still look more like scoring.
90+5 FT Blackburn 3 Stoke 1. Other results go Stoke’s way…
