|
In glorious sunny conditions, Jersey took the lead with a set-piece headed goal from defender Scott Devlin in the seventh minute and the hosts thoroughly deserved to still be leading at the break.
But all their excellent work was undone in the first ten minutes after the resumption as Blackburn opened Jersey up to run into a 3-1 lead.
Jersey then battled hard to contain some fine running and flowing play from the Premiership club and the Lancastrians added two more goals - the fourth a stunning finish from midfielder Alan Judge who had a storming second half.
Jamie Clarke scored Blackburn's first two goals in the 50th and 52nd minutes before Marcus Marshall notched a third three minutes later. Judge showed his undoubted class with an exquisite finish.
Exchanging passes with a colleague on the edge of Jersey's penalty area he then touched the ball a metre ahead of him before firing home a crisp left-foot rising shot just inside an upright.
Judge ran the show from then on in including providing the pass for Josh O'Keefe to turn well and make it 5-1 with 12 minutes remaining.
It was an excellent run out for both teams, Jersey kept their shape well and they knocked the ball around with great purpose in the first half with everyone working hard.
Blackburn did not use their wingers enough in the first 45 minutes therefore they were unable to get behind Jersey's defence who played extremely well as a unit with Devlin a force to be reckoned with in the air.
It was a different story after the break and quality eventually came through ensuring the crowd of around 500 were treated to some excellent entertainment.
Rovers manager Glyn Hodges said: 'It was a competitive game and everyone has enjoyed it. I was not surprised to go a goal down either because Jersey were big, strong and fit first half although it was a poor goal for us to concede.
'I wanted to see the reaction of our young boys after that and I think I got a good one in the second half.
'Alan Judge is a good player and a few of the younger ones stood out too.
'I think seven out of the eleven that finished the game are available in the Youth Cup at under-18 level so that is good for our club.
'I do not know if they were nervous stepping up from the Youth team to the Reserves but I think they settled down and relaxed in the second half and I am sure they've all enjoyed themselves.
'It's certainly something we would like to do again; you cannot beat a trip. There has been a good crowd, the referee was good and it was played in a fine manner.
'Jersey were very good first half and maybe we won it with fitness in the end.'
Jersey manager Dave Kennedy said: 'Our boys were absolutely fabulous. They did everything that was asked of them, they kept the ball well, scored a really great goal off a set piece - which we were delighted with - and every one of them from back to front did a super job.
'I said to them at half time to keep it tight for the first ten to 15 minutes. Unfortunately we lost three goals early and obviously the heads go down a bit.
'It's then very hard to get back then because Blackburn had a lot of quality. I've praised all the lads for their efforts; I do not think anyone else could have given any more.
'Let's be honest if it had been a competitive game I would not have made any changes because we were doing so well. But that was not what the game was all about, it was an opportunity to see everybody and give them a game and from that point of view we have achieved that.
'It was great to see a crowd too, we've been beaten by a very good team and the applause at the finish I am sure was for both teams.
'I hope we can do the same again in the next International break in February and put on another good show for Jersey supporters.'
Blackburn: Andreas Arestidou (Bjorn Bussman, 70); Jon Bateson, Dean Winnard, Kris Patterson, Mark King (Aaron Doran, 66); Alan Judge, Josh O'Keefe, Rostyn Griffiths, Michael O'Connor (Raffaele De Vita 57); Jamie Clarke (Gavin Gunning, 66), Marcus Marshall.
Jersey: Andrew Bird (Gary Lloyd, 45); James Scott, Scott Devlin (Carl Scott, 60), Stuart Andre, Jack Cannon; Chris Andrews (Russell Le Feuvre, 80), Liam Walshe (James O'Haire, 60), Dave Brodie, Dave Le Roux (Kevan Crowell, 80); Paul Aitken (Barry Beatson, 60), Scott Healey (Marco Vieira, 45).
Referee: Ashley Slaughter (Sussex), assistants: Andy Norman, Dave Roworth. 4th: Peter Smith.
The Wilde Family Office Limited supported the Blackburn Rovers fixture.
Published 19/11/07
< PREVIOUS STORY | NEXT STORY >
|
