Academy 1 Blackburn Rovers 0

The team was the same as MK Dons but Jacob White replaced Jacob Butterfield in midfield, presumably because Butterfield is with the first team. Tom Mellor replaced Danny Warburton as early as the 2nd minute after he was injured in a tackle. Luke Fedorenko went to striker and Mellor played on the left wing. Blackburn dominated the early exchanges and Free made a good stop, but the Barnsley defence is a very strong unit this year and they held firm. The best chance of the first half fell to Jamal Adam. Mellor beat his man and crossed to Adam standing alone on the penalty spot. Sadly, Adam sliced his volley and the ball hit a post. Early in the second half, Adam scored. Jacob White ran onto a good pass and shot from just inside the area. The keeper beat it away, but Adam just managed to get his head to the bouncing ball and headed over the keeper and into the goal. Midway through the half, the game came alive. Fedorenko lost the ball and kicked out at the Blackburn #6 for a foul. The #6 took it badly and walked up the prostrate Fedorenko, stamping as he went. The Blackburn #6 was sent off and Fedorenko was booked. This inspired Blackburn and they push the Reds back for the rest of the game. Even so, Jamal Adam missed another chance that was a carbon copy of his first half miss.

Team
1. Danny Free
Had more to do than against MK Dons. Took his crosses well and made 3 good saves. Looks to have potential
2. Danny Smith
Made some vital interceptions and had a better game than agaist MK Dons.
3. Luke Potter
In my view, Luke is a centre half. He did not have a bad game but tends to tire under the additional workload of a left back. He does make more overlaps than Danny Smith but this means he is more often out of position when we lose possesion.
4. Ryan Jennings
Ryan hardly ever has to tackle. His reading of the game always puts him in the right place. He has the pace to get where he needs to be and the confidence to bring it forward when he wins it. An even better game than agaist MK Dons. MotM
5. Luke Waterfall
Luke is the rock around which the defence is made. Solid again.
6. Liam Ormsby
Worked his socks off and made tackle after tackle. Used the ball well when he won it.
7. Greg McGrory
Greg continues to disappoint. He even lost two tackle that he was long odds favourite to win. Substituted with 10 minutes remaining.
8. Jacob White
Worked very hard but was booked when his foul count ran into double figures. He needs to use the ball better.
9. Danny Warburton
Lasted only 2 minutes.
10. Jamal Adam
He was a 100% improvement on his match against MK Dons. Yes, he missed chances, but he was a handful for their defence
11. Luke Federenko
He soon moved to striker, which I think is his best position and like Adam was a handfull. He needs to channel his agression better or one day he will get a good kicking.
12. Tom Mellor
Played for 88 minutes and although he looked very tired, he made it to the end. Made 2 good chances for Adam and did his work well. He looks like he may be a little short of fitness and strength, but he did well.
16. No name on team sheet
Played right wing for final 10 minutes. Did nothing wrong.

 

Great Result

It's nice to see us beating the bigger teams. Hopefully some of them will get into the first team in a couple of years and be given a chance.

 

Ryan Jennings is a shoo-in at some stage.

 

Thanks again for a good report

 

Re: Academy 1 Blackburn Rovers 0...............Excellent nt

 

Thank you for yet another in depth report

They're always a pleasure to read .
Cheers mate . (Y)