[Archived] News Article -> 2011/12 Pre-Season: Kilmarnock 1 Rovers 4

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Kilmarnock	(1) 1 – 4 (3)	Blackburn Rovers
Hanley (og) 10		Dunn (pen) 11, Roberts 13, (pen) 30, Goodwillie 76
Referee: I. Brines		Attendance: 2,283

The final pre-season outing for the seniors brought a very pleasing result at Rugby Park but also highlighted many of the shortcomings which were so in evidence last season. In truth the final scoreline flattered a Rovers side that spent much of the second half on the back foot. Indeed, if the home side had been able to convert some of the many chances they created, the result might well have had a more uncomfortable look about it. Fortunately, Killie squandered numerous opportunities and, for once, the Rovers made the most of the chances that came their way.

With the exception of Michel Salgado and the injured Chris Samba, the Rovers started the game with an eleven that may well take the field in the opening league match against Wolves. The three new faces, David Goodwillie, Bruno Ribeiro and Myles Anderson, had to settle for a place on the bench as Steve Kean opted to keep faith with the familiar faces. Once again, Mauro Formica was utilised in a position playing just behind Jason Roberts, who occupied the lone striker role.

The Rovers began brightly against a Killie side that showed a number of changes from the eleven that drew with Motherwell last weekend as manager Kenny Shiels opted to utilise his squad to the full. The Rovers ought to have capitalised on their early dominance when Junior Hoilett appeared to be unceremoniously chopped down in the penalty area after six minutes. To the astonishment of everyone, even Killie supporters, the referee waved play on.

The home side began to come into the game thanks to the efforts of James Drayton and David Silva on the wings. Time and again they caused problems with their direct running and some clever passes that found the Rovers back four somewhat square and rather static. Gary Harkins, the former Rover, began to see more of the ball as he continually found himself in space as he managed to escape his markers. Indeed it was Harkins who put Grant Hanley under sufficient pressure to force the Rovers' defender to turn the ball past his own 'keeper after just ten minutes. The goal was created down the left as Silva found Heffernan and his cross was met by the foot of Hanley as Harkins moved in. Unfortunately for the Scottish defender the ball flew past Robinson into the back of the net.

The lead was, however, short-lived as the Rovers immediately swept up the other end of the field and were awarded a penalty when Patrick Ada was judged to have handled the ball as he slipped in the area. It was, in truth, a harsh decision but perhaps the referee felt a little guilty after denying the earlier claims when Hoilett was felled. David Dunn stepped up and scored in convincing fashion. Two minutes later the game was turned on its head when the Rovers took the lead. The goal had a touch of comedy about it as Letheren tried to kick the ball clear but only managed to hit it against Dunn. The ball fell kindly at the feet of Jason Roberts and he gratefully accepted the gift and fired home from close range.

Undaunted, Killie continued to look for goals, but their finishing was woeful. Time and again they got themselves into excellent goalscoring positions only to see the final effort fly over the bar or fly wide. From a Rovers perspective it was a little worrying to see the ease with which the back four were continually exposed by a simple pass between centre-back and full-back.

However, if the Rovers defence looked shaky, the home defenders also had their own jitters to deal with and after half an hour the Rovers increased their lead. Roberts turned O'Leary in the box and as he headed for goal the Killie centre-back inexplicably pulled him back right in front of the referee. Roberts took it upon himself to take the penalty and converted it with ease.

At half-time Killie made six changes and looked far more comfortable as a result. Once again it was Silva and Drayton who caused all the problems with their exciting brand of wing play. Drayton was undoubtedly the player who caught the eye and looked a class apart at times as he turned Rovers' defenders inside-out with his tricky style of dribbling. Unfortunately for the home side his colleagues were unable to make the most of the opportunities that were being created.

The home side had by far the better of the second half and it came as something of a surprise when the Rovers increased their lead courtesy of debutant David Goodwillie. Again, poor defensive play was the foundation on which the goal was built. Formica intercepted a ball which was being played along the back line and found Goodwillie. The former Dundee United striker was on it in a flash and after dancing around a defender he fired home to the delight of the Rovers travelling fans.

The home side created a couple more chances before the end but were unable to convert them and so the Rovers ended their pre-season programme with a comfortable margin of victory.

If questions remain about the defensive capabilities of the Rovers, there were several encouraging performances. Jason Roberts worked tirelessly and thoroughly deserved his goals. David Dunn, who admittedly tired in the second half, looked sharp in the opening forty-five minutes. Steven Nzonzi, who I felt was our best player on the day, was excellent in midfield, breaking up attacks and retaining possession in the middle of the field. Brett Emerton again proved his versatility by operating at right-back before switching into a central midfield role later in the game. Once again he worked tirelessly in both roles and showed just what a valuable member of the squad he is.

Goodwillie had a quiet debut but came to life when the opportunity came his way in the six-yard box. Like all good goal poachers he seemed to gain a yard of pace whenever the ball came to him in the penalty area and he was clinical in the way in which he took his goal.

With seven days to go to the big kick-off there is much for Steve Kean to ponder, but I would suggest that he will feel much happier when he can see Salgado, Samba and Nelsen back in the defence. Without them, the Rovers looked somewhat fragile.

Teams

Kilmarnock

Kyle Letheren (Anssi Jaakkola 46); Tim Clancy (Manuel Pascali 46), Ryan O'Leary (Zdenek Kroca 46), Patrick Ada, Rory McKeown (Garry Hay 46); James Dayton (Gary Fisher 75), Danny Buijs (Alex Pursehouse 66), Liam Kelly (James Fowler 46), David Silva (William Gros 75); Gary Harkins (Dean Shiels 46); Paul Heffernan (Ben Hutchinson 61)
Manager: Kenny Shiels

Blackburn Rovers

Paul Robinson; Brett Emerton, Grant Hanley, Gael Givet, Martin Olsson; David "Junior" Hoilett (Ruben Rochina 70), David Dunn (Bruno Ribeiro 81), Steven Nzonzi (Myles Anderson 85), Morten Gamst Pedersen; Mauro Formica; Jason Roberts (David Goodwillie 66)
Subs not used: Mark Bunn (gk), Michel Salgado, Zak Aley, Raheem Hanley
Manager: Steve Kean


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