[Archived] Match Report: Knaresborough Town 0 - 4 Blackburn Rovers Under-21's

[Kamy100]

Parsonblue's match report from the Under 21's match yesterday:

Saturday 18^th July 2015 – Pre-Season Friendly

Knaresborough Town 0 v 4 Blackburn Rovers Under-21

Knaresborough Town (0) 0

Josh Walsh; Toby Lees (Ally Wilson 62), Matt Duerden, Tom Clare (Luke McCrum 46), Nick Radcliffe (Callum Rogers 63); Ben Joyce (Dan Hickey 62), Jim Bradley, Ben Parkes (George Eustance 62), Liam Gray (Dominic Wilson 24), Graham Whitehead (Chris Fairhurst 63); Brad Walker (Toby Lees 72).

Manager: Paul Stansfield

Blackburn Rovers Under-21 (4) 4

Preston 8, Green 16, Chaka 32, Green 45

Jake Kean (Ryan Crump 62); David Carson (Jack Doyle 62), Matthew Platt (Matthew Makinson 33), Scott Wharton (Matthew Platt 62), Jack Doyle (Mark Edgar 33); Devarn Green (Modou Cham 62), Connor Thomson (Willem Tomlinson 62), Willem Tomlinson (Sam Joel 33),Modou Cham (Luke Wall 33); Menelik Chaka Ngu’ Ewodo, Jordan Preston (Dean Rittenberg 46).

Manager: Damien Johnson

Referee: Mr. J. Starkey

Bookings: None

Attendance: 171

As a contest, this game was over just after the half-an-hour mark with the Rovers having taken a commanding 3-0 lead. Indeed, the management duo of Damien Johnson and John Filan were able to make a number of substitutions at that point without impacting on the control the Rovers had on the game. Devarn Green added a fourth, his second of the game, on the brink of half-time whilst the second-half proved something of an anti-climax with numerous substitutions impacting on the flow of the game.

Apart from several impressive performances from lads who had graduated through the Academy another point of interest was the appearance of German trialistMenelik Chaka Ngu’ Ewodo who was with TSV Schwabmünchen last season in the BayernligaSüd, the fifth tier of the German football league system.

Watching the game was Paul Robinson, a familiar face at Knaresborough Town with it being his local non-League club. Rumour has it that the former England ‘keeper is about to retire from playing although this has yet to be confirmed.

It didn’t take the Rovers long to stamp their authority on this game. After just eight minutes the home defence was at sixes and sevens when a long ball caught them out appealing for offside as Jordan Preston bore down on goal with only the ‘keeper to beat. The young Scot, who spent the second half of last season on loan at Ayr United, had no difficulty in slipping the ball past Josh Walsh to open the scoring.

Eight minutes later the Rovers notched their second goal when Devarn Green struck a powerful shot from outside of the area which flew past Walsh into the back of the net.

It was clear at this early stage that there was going to be no repeat of last season’s nine goal thriller which the Rovers won with a last minute strike. The Rovers knocked the ball around with confidence as Willem Tomlinson and Connor Thomson took charge of the midfield whilst Preston and Chaka proved willing runners in attack.

The home side suffered a further blow on twenty-four minutes when Liam Gray left the field with a cut to his head and had to be replaced by Dominic Wilson.

Just past the half-hour mark the young Rovers added a third when Josh Walsh was too slow in trying to clear the ball and Chaka blocked his attempted clearance, picked up the loose ball and calmly slotted the ball home as the ‘keeper and a defender tried to cover the line.

The third goal was the signal for Johnson and Filan to switch things around with the introduction of several substitutes. A number of those who remained on the pitch switched positions as the youngsters again showed their versatility by operating in different roles.

The changes made little difference to the Rovers domination of the game and on the brink of half-time Green added a fourth. It was another spectacular effort from the edge of the area which rocketed into the back of the net with the ‘keeper well beaten.

Throughout the second-half a steady influx of substitutions began to have an impact on the flow of the game as both sides chopped and changed personnel. Whilst the cutting edge disappeared from the Rovers play in the second period, Matthew Makinson did manage to hit the woodwork during one foray from full-back into the opposition area. Likewise, Jim Bradley struck the woodwork for Knaresborough with a thunderous free-kick late in the game.

Once again the likes of David Carson and Devarn Green caught the eye. Carson, normally a battling midfielder, operated at full-back and centre-back in this game with equal aplomb, thus illustrating the sort of versatility that the club is now demanding of its players. Green looked back to his best displaying speed and guile on the flank and notching two goals with well struck shots from distance. Scott Wharton looked accomplished at the back whilst Mark Edgar, the Northern Ireland youth international, continued to impress at left-back and also at centre-back when he moved into the middle during the latter stages of this game.

Menelik Chaka worked hard during the first half and formed a promising partnership with Jordan Preston. Chaka took his goal well before fading during the second period as the supply to the front two dried up.

The Under-21’s have made an impressive start to pre-season – two wins, nine goals scored and only one conceded. More importantly, unlike twelve months ago when an array of trialists had to be brought in to boost the numbers, there has been a seamless transition from Under-18’s to Under-21’s and the club’s present financial plight merely underlines how crucial this supply network will be in the future.

[chaddyrovers]

Are Rovers under 21's playing 4-4-2 formation now Johnson in charge?

what type of player is Menelik Chaka Ngu’ Ewodo? pace striker or big target man?

[Parsonblue]

Are Rovers under 21's playing 4-4-2 formation now Johnson in charge?

what type of player is Menelik Chaka Ngu’ Ewodo? pace striker or big target man?

There has been no real change in the formations. We've played 4-4-2 in the past but it obviously depends on who is available. Chaka played alongside Preston in the first half and Rittenberg in the second. A willing worker but difficult to judge him on one pre-season game against non-League opposition.

[chaddyrovers]

Thanks ParsonBlue for the response.

does Chaka have pace?

[Parsonblue]

Thanks ParsonBlue for the response.

does Chaka have pace?

On the evidence of yesterday I wouldn't say he was particularly quick. Similar to Rhodes and Gestede in that department but it's difficult to judge on one game. However, he certainly doesn't look like King in terms of pace.

[chaddyrovers]

Thanks ParsonBlue for the reply.

hope Johnson can produce some talented players for Rovers 1st team over the next few years

[blueboy3333]

Thnaks Parson.

Green sounds like he had a good game, is he ready for a loan spell at a league/conference club yet?

[LDRover]

Good to read that Parson, thanks.

Not a fan of Carson but sounds like he played well in 2 new positions, he can battle and put his foot in so is probably more suited back there.

Glad to hear about the trialist because let's face it if anybody can, Chaka can.