shantanu_rooney
Chairman of Selectors
Wow great win for Rovers 4-2 win for Rovers . Derbyshire has scored a hatrick and thats great performance by the young lad .
KUTGW
KUTGW
Changes;
- Thread starter sammiller
- Start date
ROVERS vs BIRMINGHAM CITY
Morten Gamst Pedersen stepped up. Composed himself, managed to take a deep breath. He eyed his target, surveying his options.The Rovers fans were waiting. The Birmingham fans were jeering, arm waving. He moved towards the ball. The ball flew off his left foot.... its evaded the wall. The curl was moving the ball, but would it move the wrong side of the post? Sanchez flew a desperate arm at it. He missed! The ball knestled into the right hand corner, around 3 foot upwards. The fans leapt to their feet and cheered. The away travel was silent. Rovers 1, Birmingham 0.
Two minutes later, Larsson picked the ball up on the byline. He whipped the ball in with pace, with young defender Olsson failing to deal with it properly. It fell to Dica. He shot hard and low, evading Robinson. The response was immediate, and Birmingham fans were delighted. Rovers 1, Birmingham 1.
The game calmed down from here. After five minutes of wasteful possession from either side, Harper picked up the ball on the left. His cross was inch perfect, and was met by Rigters. He headed the ball wide of the goal - it never threatened to go in. A minute later, Santa Cruz headed over.Rovers were frustrated.
On the 20 minute mark, Birmingham came incredible close. Adam whipped in a corner, and Schmitz somehow found himself unmarked. His shot was blocked on the line by Ferreria, before riccocading off the post. Birmingham were unlucky, and the fans groaned. Rovers fans breathed a huge sign of relief, cheering the miss.
Half chances follow, but the rest of the first period was dull, leading the fans to become frustrated. The crowd were hushed as the players went down the tunnel. Derbyshire came close five minutes after the break, finding himself in space but firing wide.
40 minutes left. McFadden had the ball, jinking left, jinking right. He hooked his foot around the ball, playing it down the middle. Nafti ran on to it, and was no clean through. He MUST score. Robinson made himself big. Nafti confidently slotted it, but straight into Robinsons legs. Rovers were again out of jail and the score remained 1-1.
Birmingham captain Sanchez started to really earn his bacon from here. Pedersen - excellent free kick - saved. Dunn drilled shot - saved. He was getting confident and it'd take something special to beat him.
Al-Hawasawi was next to come close, his low shot being well gathered by Sanchez. Either said of the goalkeeper it was probably a goal. Two minutes on, Pedersen had a corner. He swung it towards the back post, however it dipped onto Al-Hawasawis foot. He took a tough. BAM. He swung with his right foot. It skimmed off the surface. The Blackburn end watched in nervous anticipation. It was almost slow motion. Sanchez dived. He missed. The ball nestled. YESSSS. Rovers were ahead. Rovers had won. Just.
MOTM - Pedersen
Goals - Pedersen, Al-Hawasawi
Morten Gamst Pedersen stepped up. Composed himself, managed to take a deep breath. He eyed his target, surveying his options.The Rovers fans were waiting. The Birmingham fans were jeering, arm waving. He moved towards the ball. The ball flew off his left foot.... its evaded the wall. The curl was moving the ball, but would it move the wrong side of the post? Sanchez flew a desperate arm at it. He missed! The ball knestled into the right hand corner, around 3 foot upwards. The fans leapt to their feet and cheered. The away travel was silent. Rovers 1, Birmingham 0.
Two minutes later, Larsson picked the ball up on the byline. He whipped the ball in with pace, with young defender Olsson failing to deal with it properly. It fell to Dica. He shot hard and low, evading Robinson. The response was immediate, and Birmingham fans were delighted. Rovers 1, Birmingham 1.
The game calmed down from here. After five minutes of wasteful possession from either side, Harper picked up the ball on the left. His cross was inch perfect, and was met by Rigters. He headed the ball wide of the goal - it never threatened to go in. A minute later, Santa Cruz headed over.Rovers were frustrated.
On the 20 minute mark, Birmingham came incredible close. Adam whipped in a corner, and Schmitz somehow found himself unmarked. His shot was blocked on the line by Ferreria, before riccocading off the post. Birmingham were unlucky, and the fans groaned. Rovers fans breathed a huge sign of relief, cheering the miss.
Half chances follow, but the rest of the first period was dull, leading the fans to become frustrated. The crowd were hushed as the players went down the tunnel. Derbyshire came close five minutes after the break, finding himself in space but firing wide.
40 minutes left. McFadden had the ball, jinking left, jinking right. He hooked his foot around the ball, playing it down the middle. Nafti ran on to it, and was no clean through. He MUST score. Robinson made himself big. Nafti confidently slotted it, but straight into Robinsons legs. Rovers were again out of jail and the score remained 1-1.
Birmingham captain Sanchez started to really earn his bacon from here. Pedersen - excellent free kick - saved. Dunn drilled shot - saved. He was getting confident and it'd take something special to beat him.
Al-Hawasawi was next to come close, his low shot being well gathered by Sanchez. Either said of the goalkeeper it was probably a goal. Two minutes on, Pedersen had a corner. He swung it towards the back post, however it dipped onto Al-Hawasawis foot. He took a tough. BAM. He swung with his right foot. It skimmed off the surface. The Blackburn end watched in nervous anticipation. It was almost slow motion. Sanchez dived. He missed. The ball nestled. YESSSS. Rovers were ahead. Rovers had won. Just.
MOTM - Pedersen
Goals - Pedersen, Al-Hawasawi
sammiller added 40 Minutes and 24 Seconds later...
Antermio Franchi was the destination of Blackburns next game. Fiorentina away, 30 000 spectators. Could Rovers get a result.
Fiorentina were on top. They used this to their advantage within 10 minutes, as Ovaldo made room for himself before unlreashing a powerful shot. GOAL! Rovers had their back against the ball now, Donadelo and Ovaldo were denied by Robinson in the next 20 minutes, with the home side threatening to run away with it.
43 minutes in, Fiorentina managed a good move and created a chance. Pazzini shot. He was in a great position. "He must score"! He mis-kicked it. It went wide, and Rovers were let off. Rovers's first shot took 45 minutes. Santa Cruz had a low shot comfortably saved by Avramov. Rovers were tired, probably from chasing shadows, as they left the field for the interval. They needed a good half time team talk.
In the first five minutes of the second half, Rovers saw much encouragement. Santa Cruz and Derbyshire both had headers narrowly nodded over the bar. On the hour mark, the ball fell to Rigters. Nobody to stop him. He pulled his foot back. Goal? No. Pasqual somehow came out of nowhere to block the shot. Rigters denied. Rovers denied.
Dunn was next to be denied. His long range shot seemed destined for goal. However, it swerved and hit the crossbar. Rovers fans groaned; would they get the crucial goal? Whatever happened, with ten minutes left they went 3-4-3. Al-Hawasawi on.
2 minutes left. Derbyshire flicks it on. Rigters does likewise. Gamberini stopped the ball reaching a Rovers striker but panicked, falling back to pass the ball to Avramov. Al-Hawaswi pushed him back. What happened next was amazing. The ball went in the net. Own goal! Rovers had snatched a point!
Both teams went in search of an equalizer but didn't find one. Fiorentina 1, Rovers 1. Great result.
MOTM - N/A
Goal - OG
Fiorentina were on top. They used this to their advantage within 10 minutes, as Ovaldo made room for himself before unlreashing a powerful shot. GOAL! Rovers had their back against the ball now, Donadelo and Ovaldo were denied by Robinson in the next 20 minutes, with the home side threatening to run away with it.
43 minutes in, Fiorentina managed a good move and created a chance. Pazzini shot. He was in a great position. "He must score"! He mis-kicked it. It went wide, and Rovers were let off. Rovers's first shot took 45 minutes. Santa Cruz had a low shot comfortably saved by Avramov. Rovers were tired, probably from chasing shadows, as they left the field for the interval. They needed a good half time team talk.
In the first five minutes of the second half, Rovers saw much encouragement. Santa Cruz and Derbyshire both had headers narrowly nodded over the bar. On the hour mark, the ball fell to Rigters. Nobody to stop him. He pulled his foot back. Goal? No. Pasqual somehow came out of nowhere to block the shot. Rigters denied. Rovers denied.
Dunn was next to be denied. His long range shot seemed destined for goal. However, it swerved and hit the crossbar. Rovers fans groaned; would they get the crucial goal? Whatever happened, with ten minutes left they went 3-4-3. Al-Hawasawi on.
2 minutes left. Derbyshire flicks it on. Rigters does likewise. Gamberini stopped the ball reaching a Rovers striker but panicked, falling back to pass the ball to Avramov. Al-Hawaswi pushed him back. What happened next was amazing. The ball went in the net. Own goal! Rovers had snatched a point!
Both teams went in search of an equalizer but didn't find one. Fiorentina 1, Rovers 1. Great result.
MOTM - N/A
Goal - OG
shantanu_rooney
Chairman of Selectors
Well some draws there for Rovers but result against Fiorentina was great as it was away from home
m_vaughan
Chairman of Selectors
What a cracking end to the games against Birmingham and La Viola. Al-Hawasawi is a hero already!
The draw in Italy is as good as a win. Pablo Osvaldo's strike seems to have been of the top order.
The draw in Italy is as good as a win. Pablo Osvaldo's strike seems to have been of the top order.
ROVERS STRIKE LUCKY
Rovers somehow managed a draw at the JJB stadium, despite spending the majority of the game on the backfoot to a determined Wigan side. Rovers took the lead on four minutes, when an in form David Dunn met a through ball to slot the ball home. However, this lead was cut short when Paul Scharner headed home a Taylor corner. From here, Robinson somehow managed to keep Rovers in the game with a string of top class saves. This preserves Rovers's unbeaten run, now at six games. However, they'll do well to keep the run going, their next game being at Old Trafford!
goal - Dunn
MOTM - Robinson
m_vaughan
Chairman of Selectors
Robinson making all those saves, very unlike him, but looks like Rovers came out of that the happier side. Wigan must have got frustrated!
All the best for OT. You need it.
All the best for OT. You need it.
Santa Cruz remains top scorer and top performer, despite a quiet month for the striker. Derbyshire made huge improvements this month. Robinson put in some top class performances; now starting to justify his summer signing.
Rovers move from 20th to a credible 12th, showing a huge improvement in their form.
Rovers had barely started their European adventure but seemed in good stead.
PLAYER OF THE MONTH
Paul Robinson
sammiller added 8 Minutes and 22 Seconds later...
Thankyou. I will need it, not expecting anything!
Sorry for shorter update, got a bit preoccupied doing the monthly review!
10 MAN ROVERS RUN ENDS
Rovers' impressive unbeaten run reached an abrupt end as United turned on the style at Old Trafford. The current champions slammed in four goals in a resounding victory, which included a red card for midfielder David Dunn. Pique opened the scoring with a towering header on 15 minutes, and despite dominance, United failed to build on this lead for the rest of the half. They survived until the hour mark, but the lead was doubled when Ronaldo bundled in from 8 yards. Rooney added a third just three minutes later, where he finished well from close range. A red card for a second bookable offence on 77 minutes compounded Rovers' misery. Giggs made it four just before the final whistle, making it a convincing victory for United.
MOTM - Pedersen
Rovers' impressive unbeaten run reached an abrupt end as United turned on the style at Old Trafford. The current champions slammed in four goals in a resounding victory, which included a red card for midfielder David Dunn. Pique opened the scoring with a towering header on 15 minutes, and despite dominance, United failed to build on this lead for the rest of the half. They survived until the hour mark, but the lead was doubled when Ronaldo bundled in from 8 yards. Rooney added a third just three minutes later, where he finished well from close range. A red card for a second bookable offence on 77 minutes compounded Rovers' misery. Giggs made it four just before the final whistle, making it a convincing victory for United.
MOTM - Pedersen
shantanu_rooney
Chairman of Selectors
Well good presentation and good win for United but it ended your run anyways good job as rovers manager .
ROVERS v LENS - THE BIG REVIEW
Harper, Derbyshire and Santa Cruz all had shots well saved in the opening quarter of an hour. On the half hour mark, Santa Cruz had a fantastic chance but it was saved; he was shocked, it was a great chance and he missed - very unlike him! Derbyshires header across goal was tipped wide just before half time, agonisingly for the Rovers fans. That isn't to say that Lens had no chances, as Sable went very close on the brink of half time with a well struck shot that Robinson stretched to divert wide.
Rovers were frustrated for the next 20 minutes, with Lens getting men behind the ball and denying Rovers space to create clear cut chances. On 65 minutes, Derbyshire had a thunderous shot which was palmed away; the young striker again denied, much to his frustration. The local striker went close again with 10 minutes left, his goal bound shot deflected wide for a corner.
Rovers continued to be frustrated for the rest of the game, and despite over 20 shots, the game finished 0-0.
MOTM - n/a
Rovers were frustrated for the next 20 minutes, with Lens getting men behind the ball and denying Rovers space to create clear cut chances. On 65 minutes, Derbyshire had a thunderous shot which was palmed away; the young striker again denied, much to his frustration. The local striker went close again with 10 minutes left, his goal bound shot deflected wide for a corner.
Rovers continued to be frustrated for the rest of the game, and despite over 20 shots, the game finished 0-0.
MOTM - n/a
sammiller added 25 Minutes and 38 Seconds later...
ROVERS v SUNDERLAND
Two minutes on the clock, some fans just finding their seats, whilst the travelling Sunderland support cheer on their team. Chants of "Sunderland, Sunderland, Sunderland..." echo off the roof of the Darwen End. Villanueva has the ball midway through the Sunderland half. He swings his left foot and plays the ball into the gap... Derbyshire runs onto it, drilling the ball home. Rovers 1, Sunderland 0, with the first chance of the game. The Sunderland chants cease, as Rovers chant for young prodigy Matt Derbyshire.
Five minutes on... O'Hara heads the ball towards the top corner... GOAL? No, a hand reaches out to stop that ball. Robinson somehow prevents the ball reaching the back of the net, and earns the plaudits from the fans as a result. "Englands number one" rings around the stadium!
Its the 24th minute, and Etuhu crunches into Roque Santa Cruz. The tackle is a crunching one, and the striker falls to the ground. Al-Hawasawi replaces him, with slight concern on the Rovers touchline. He stands to limp off, showing encouraging signs for the Rovers fans and staff. On the verge of half time, Pedersen was injured, to be replaces by Rigters. The fans must have been scratching their heads, two huge players injured in the first half.
As the clock reaches the 49th minute, Harper holds the ball. He surges forward, before slotting the ball through through. Andrey Arshavin picks the ball up and shoots. The keeper stretches and misses. Arshavin wheels away and laps up the praise of the fans; his first goal for Rovers. He slides on his knees, as the Rovers fans cheer loudly.
Sunderland continued to attack...a cross whips in from the right hand side, evading Nelsen, evading Samba. Kenwyne Jones... BAM! He slots the ball home and rushes to the travelling Mackems. They aren't cheering as loud as normal, in fact, they're booing. Why? He turns around to see an offside flag. The score is 2-0 still, and Sunderlands passage back into the game is blocked.
Harte held the ball. There was ten minutes left. He had to get the ball forward. Al-Hawasawi sticks his legs out, hooking the ball into his stride. He runs, and runs, and runs. He opens his body up. 3-0. Game over, a convincing display by Rovers!
Goals - Derbyshire, Arshavin, Al-Hawasawi
MOTM - Arshavin
Five minutes on... O'Hara heads the ball towards the top corner... GOAL? No, a hand reaches out to stop that ball. Robinson somehow prevents the ball reaching the back of the net, and earns the plaudits from the fans as a result. "Englands number one" rings around the stadium!
Its the 24th minute, and Etuhu crunches into Roque Santa Cruz. The tackle is a crunching one, and the striker falls to the ground. Al-Hawasawi replaces him, with slight concern on the Rovers touchline. He stands to limp off, showing encouraging signs for the Rovers fans and staff. On the verge of half time, Pedersen was injured, to be replaces by Rigters. The fans must have been scratching their heads, two huge players injured in the first half.
As the clock reaches the 49th minute, Harper holds the ball. He surges forward, before slotting the ball through through. Andrey Arshavin picks the ball up and shoots. The keeper stretches and misses. Arshavin wheels away and laps up the praise of the fans; his first goal for Rovers. He slides on his knees, as the Rovers fans cheer loudly.
Sunderland continued to attack...a cross whips in from the right hand side, evading Nelsen, evading Samba. Kenwyne Jones... BAM! He slots the ball home and rushes to the travelling Mackems. They aren't cheering as loud as normal, in fact, they're booing. Why? He turns around to see an offside flag. The score is 2-0 still, and Sunderlands passage back into the game is blocked.
Harte held the ball. There was ten minutes left. He had to get the ball forward. Al-Hawasawi sticks his legs out, hooking the ball into his stride. He runs, and runs, and runs. He opens his body up. 3-0. Game over, a convincing display by Rovers!
Goals - Derbyshire, Arshavin, Al-Hawasawi
MOTM - Arshavin
sammiller added 29 Minutes and 55 Seconds later...
MIDDLESBROUGH v ROVERS
Rovers started the game excellently, Al-Hawasawi having a brilliant shot tipped wide by Schwarzer within five minutes. Five minutes later, Harper was denied, a rasping effort from the edge of the box being magnificently saved. Rovers were passing the ball excellently, crisp passing and movement creating chances.
On 34 minutes, Rovers finally had their goal. Villanueva played a perfect ball through to Al-Hawasawi, who powered through to drill Rovers into a 1 goal lead. They deserved this, and the hitman was mobbed; two goals against teams from the North East in two games!
After the interval, Middlesbrough started to claw themselves back into the game. Eight minutes after the break, Alves was denied in a one on one chance. He seemed destined to score, but Robinson stuck out a hand to palm the ball away. On the hour mark, Tuncay was also denied by Robinson in a seemingly unmissable position; the England international rushing out of his goal to get to the ball before it had chance to move convincingly towards the corner.
Rovers continued to hold out and these two chances remained Boro's only clear chances, until the 83rd minute. Mido shot, and Robinson saved well, but the ball fell back into his path. He seized this opportunity and blasted the ball home. Rovers' resistance was broken.
This sprung Rovers into action. After a period of high pressure, Pedersen foudn himself free with the goal gaping. He shot with power, but Schwarzer dived at Pedersen to prevent him scoring. The Rovers fans gasped, and Boro breathed a sigh of relief. The score didn't change, and Rovers earned themselves a hard fought 1-1 draw; however were left to rue a fantastic chance of a good away win.
Goal & MOTM - Al-Hawasawi
On 34 minutes, Rovers finally had their goal. Villanueva played a perfect ball through to Al-Hawasawi, who powered through to drill Rovers into a 1 goal lead. They deserved this, and the hitman was mobbed; two goals against teams from the North East in two games!
After the interval, Middlesbrough started to claw themselves back into the game. Eight minutes after the break, Alves was denied in a one on one chance. He seemed destined to score, but Robinson stuck out a hand to palm the ball away. On the hour mark, Tuncay was also denied by Robinson in a seemingly unmissable position; the England international rushing out of his goal to get to the ball before it had chance to move convincingly towards the corner.
Rovers continued to hold out and these two chances remained Boro's only clear chances, until the 83rd minute. Mido shot, and Robinson saved well, but the ball fell back into his path. He seized this opportunity and blasted the ball home. Rovers' resistance was broken.
This sprung Rovers into action. After a period of high pressure, Pedersen foudn himself free with the goal gaping. He shot with power, but Schwarzer dived at Pedersen to prevent him scoring. The Rovers fans gasped, and Boro breathed a sigh of relief. The score didn't change, and Rovers earned themselves a hard fought 1-1 draw; however were left to rue a fantastic chance of a good away win.
Goal & MOTM - Al-Hawasawi
sammiller added 39 Minutes and 15 Seconds later...
TAMPERE v ROVERS
The first chance for Rovers came after just five minutes, a Santa Cruz header being comfortably saved by the Finnish Minmows keeper. The game quitened down from here, with the only chance in the next half an hour being a tame Santa Cruz header. However, the same forward really forced the issue on 35 minutes, a Santa Cruz turn and curled shot striking the bar, to the frustration of Santa Cruz. The breakthrough DID come two minutes later, Al-Hawasawi playing a perfect ball to Cruz, who fired the ball into the top corner.
Samba headed over from a corner five minutes later, as Rovers started to dictate the tempo of the game. However, tempers flared on the 45th minute when Myntti lunged with two feet at Al-Hawaswi. He was only booked, and Rovers took it upon themselves to protest the decision and take the matter up with the player himself.
The home team struggled for flair in the second period, with little chances created, nothing threatening the Rovers defence sufficiently to cause them to feel their lead was in threat. That was until the 84 minute mark, when Kivisto scooped the ball over the bar in a fantastic one on one position. This gave Rovers a scare and Robinson tiraded at his central defenders. This proved to be their last chance of the game and Rovers hung on for a hard fought 1-0 win in Finland.
Goal & MOTM - S.Cruz
The first chance for Rovers came after just five minutes, a Santa Cruz header being comfortably saved by the Finnish Minmows keeper. The game quitened down from here, with the only chance in the next half an hour being a tame Santa Cruz header. However, the same forward really forced the issue on 35 minutes, a Santa Cruz turn and curled shot striking the bar, to the frustration of Santa Cruz. The breakthrough DID come two minutes later, Al-Hawasawi playing a perfect ball to Cruz, who fired the ball into the top corner.
Samba headed over from a corner five minutes later, as Rovers started to dictate the tempo of the game. However, tempers flared on the 45th minute when Myntti lunged with two feet at Al-Hawaswi. He was only booked, and Rovers took it upon themselves to protest the decision and take the matter up with the player himself.
The home team struggled for flair in the second period, with little chances created, nothing threatening the Rovers defence sufficiently to cause them to feel their lead was in threat. That was until the 84 minute mark, when Kivisto scooped the ball over the bar in a fantastic one on one position. This gave Rovers a scare and Robinson tiraded at his central defenders. This proved to be their last chance of the game and Rovers hung on for a hard fought 1-0 win in Finland.
Goal & MOTM - S.Cruz
MONTHLY SUMMARY
Average Rating This Season
Roque Santa Cruz....................7.23
Christopher Samba....................7.23
Morten Gamst Pedersen.............7.17
Andrey Arshavin.......................7.10
Christopher Samba....................7.23
Morten Gamst Pedersen.............7.17
Andrey Arshavin.......................7.10
Santa Cruz still topping the performance charts, however is now joined by Samba, who's shone as Rovers have tightened up defensively.
League Table
Rovers are doing respectably, however a deserved win at Boro' would have benefited their position greatly. Arsenal are impressing at the top, remaining unbeaten - however Chelsea, and to a lesser extent United, are pushing them close. New boys Derby and Birmingham look in trouble, especially the former. Boro and Reading aren't enjoying great starts, and Spurs, who despite the seemingly annual hope of better days, seem way off the radar for achieving a top 4 position.
Player of the month
Malik Mouath Al-Hawasawi
He's scored goals and provided goals this month - aided by a consistent spot in the 11.
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shantanu_rooney
Chairman of Selectors
Great update there . Congrats to Al-Hawasawi for the Player of the month award . Well Rovers as usual are stuck in the mid table hope they perform well in the coming matches
thesweepmaster
County Cricketer
- Joined
- Mar 20, 2007
- Location
- Baghdad, Iraq
I must admit that you have done very well to be where you after 14 games considering how poor a start you had to the season but that may have been the new signings hadn't gelled properly.
Great work mate, but maybe some more pictures in your match updates, keep it up!
Great work mate, but maybe some more pictures in your match updates, keep it up!
m_vaughan
Chairman of Selectors
Al-Hawasawi has done brilliantly in a top class league. Some impressive performances since the drubbing at the hands of United. Pedersen must have played really well in that game as well.
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