Rovers 2 Fulham 0

[Alan75]

Rovers claimed their first premiership win; since their 2-1 home defeat of Wigan on the 1st October, with a 2-0 win against Fulham this afternoon, thanks to first half goals by Nonda and McCarthy.

Rovers took the lead in the 5th minute when Shabani Nonda with his back to goal, turned and flicked on a Stephane Henchoz long ball past the stranded Lastuvka, in the Fulham goal.

Rovers went further ahead in the 24th minute when Benni McCarthy controlled a long ball from Lucas Neill, to chip a looping shot towards goal, that was deflected off Ian Pearce into the Fulham net.

Pedersen could have increased Rovers lead just after the half hour mark, however he saw his curling left foot shot from the centre of the goal mouth go past the left hand post.

Half Time Rovers 2 Fulham 0.

Within 10 minutes of the restart Rovers again came close, when Emerton and Neill combined down the right, however Emerton pass to his Australian comrade was hit straight into Lastuvka’s arms by Lucas Neill.

With 3 minutes remaining Fulham came close when Friedel had to react for the first time during the afternoon to palm away a hard driven free kick from Claus Jensen.

With time ticking down, Benni McCarthy was replaced by Matt Derbyshire as the tanoy announced McCarthy as the Peter Jackson Man of the Match.

Full Time Rovers 2 Fulham 0

Rovers: Friedel, Neill, Henchoz, Ooijer, Gray, Emerton, Savage, Bentley (Mokoena 85), Pedersen, Nonda (Peter 81), McCarthy (Derbyshire 89).

Subs Not Used: Brown, Gallagher.

Booked: Savage, Henchoz.

Goals: Nonda 6, McCarthy 24.

Fulham: Lastuvka, Volz, Pearce, Knight, Rosenior, Brown, Diop, Claus Jensen, Boa Morte (Radzinski 64), Helguson (McBride 69), John (Routledge 75).

Subs Not Used: Batista, Christanval.

Booked: Helguson, Diop.

Att: 16,799

Ref: S Bennett