ROVERS RES 2

Young striker gives boss Hughes a gentle reminder

DEADLY duo Paul Gallagher and Jemal Johnson threw caution to the wind to give Rovers reserves a point at Morecambe last night.

Both strikers tamed the gale-force conditions to find the target, only to see the Red Devils hit back twice in an absorbing first half.

It was a disappointingly unfamiliar United line-up, the likes of Gerard Pique and Floribert Ngalula proving that they do have even more obscure foreigners than Eric Djemb-Djemba.

And after having a reserve team 'A' squad in action at Crewe in the Carling Cup the night before, the Premiership star turns were mainly limited to a Rovers side containing first team regulars from last season like Andy Todd, Vratislav Gresko and Jonathon Douglas.

But it was Gallagher who showed his pedigree when he nipped in at the near post in the 16th minute to steer in a deflected Jonathon Douglas cross and give Blackburn the lead.

Tommy Heaton kept United in the game in the early stages with smart saves from Jemal Johnson and Ciaran Donnelly and they were glad he did when they drew level in the 27th minute.

Jay McEveley's short back pass let in David Poole and he slid it in via the inside of the post.

But five minutes later Rovers regained the lead when the livewire Johnson collected Donnelly's pass and turned to lash the ball past Heaton.

However, more sleepy defending meant Poole was on the mark again just three minutes later when he volleyed in a looping header by Sylvan Ebanks-Blake.

Four goals in the first 45 minutes was an indication of the quality of football on show in the first half. The players took note of the driving rain swirling across Christie Park and decided the ball belonged on the deck - but it couldn't be repeated in the second period.

However, some neat play by Colin Heath almost led to United taking the lead on the hour but David Yelldell got down to make a brilliant block.

Rovers, meanwhile, seemed happy to just go through the motions and the combination of Gallagher and Johnson couldn't re-ignite their first half spark.

Heath came closest to winning the game but Yelldell was again his nemesis.

Rovers: Yelldell, Douglas, McEveley (Andy Taylor h-t), Bruce, Todd, Fitzgerald, Donnelly, Harkins, Johnson, Gallagher, Gresko. Subs not used: Drench, Morgan, Derbyshire, Peers.

Man United: Heaton, Picken, Lawrence, Pique, Spector, Ngalula, Eagles, D Jones, Ebanks-Blake, Poole, Heath. Subs not used: Collett, Crockett, Hogg, R Jones, M Howard.

Attendance: 1,141

SHREWSBURY RES 1

BURNLEY RES 1

By DARREN BENTLEY

Clarets Reporter

Sanokho off mark

AMADOU Sanokho opened his account for Burnley as Mark Yates' reserve side picked up a third successive draw.

The French midfielder, currently on a short-term contract at Turf Moor, lashed home the opening goal five minutes into the second half of a contest spoiled by blustery conditions.

Sanokho won a tackle in midfield, beat the last defender and confidently rifled the ball home from 12 yards.

However, the Clarets could not hold on for their first Pontins League win of the season after the Shrews equalised five minutes from time.

A half cleared corner fell to Danny Bragoli, who squeezed a shot past goalkeeper Michael Hale to earn the home side a point.

Yates said: "Credit to the lads in difficult conditions. We tried to get the ball down and play, get down the wings and attack and created quite a few chances.

"We deserved to win, but we just didn't see the game out, which is the only disappointing thing.

"The goal will hopefully do Amadou the world of good though. He's had to be patient in the first team, but he was positive here and got his reward.

"He put himself about and was maybe lucky not to get booked. But the goal will hopefully give him a lift now and he can go on from here."

Burnley Reserves now have a two-week break before resuming action with a trip to Blackpool on Wednesday, November 10.

Burnley: Michael Hale, Joel Pilkington, Neal Trotman, Chris McCann, Paul Scott, Marc Pugh, Amadou Sanokho, Mark Yates (Darrell Avery 70), Nicky Platt (Martin Reilly 85), Matt O'Neill, Alex Taylor (Cayne Hanley 80). Subs not used: Mark Crossley, Tom Ince.

DEADLY duo Paul Gallagher and Jemal Johnson threw caution to the wind to give Rovers reserves a point at Morecambe last night.

Both strikers tamed the gale-force conditions to find the target, only to see the Red Devils hit back twice in an absorbing first half.

It was a disappointingly unfamiliar United line-up, the likes of Gerard Pique and Floribert Ngalula proving that they do have even more obscure foreigners than Eric Djemb-Djemba.

And after having a reserve team 'A' squad in action at Crewe in the Carling Cup the night before, the Premiership star turns were mainly limited to a Rovers side containing first team regulars from last season like Andy Todd, Vratislav Gresko and Jonathon Douglas.

But it was Gallagher who showed his pedigree when he nipped in at the near post in the 16th minute to steer in a deflected Jonathon Douglas cross and give Blackburn the lead.

Tommy Heaton kept United in the game in the early stages with smart saves from Jemal Johnson and Ciaran Donnelly and they were glad he did when they drew level in the 27th minute.

Jay McEveley's short back pass let in David Poole and he slid it in via the inside of the post.

But five minutes later Rovers regained the lead when the livewire Johnson collected Donnelly's pass and turned to lash the ball past Heaton.

However, more sleepy defending meant Poole was on the mark again just three minutes later when he volleyed in a looping header by Sylvan Ebanks-Blake.

Rovers: Yelldell, Douglas, McEveley (Andy Taylor h-t), Bruce, Todd, Fitzgerald, Donnelly, Harkins, Johnson, Gallagher, Gresko. Subs not used: Drench, Morgan, Derbyshire, Peers.

Man United: Heaton, Picken, Lawrence, Pique, Spector, Ngalula, Eagles, D Jones, Ebanks-Blake, Poole, Heath. Subs not used: Collett, Crockett, Hogg, R Jones, M Howard.

Attendance: 1,141

AMADOU Sanokho opened his account for Burnley as Mark Yates' reserve side picked up a third successive draw.

The French midfielder, currently on a short-term contract at Turf Moor, lashed home the opening goal five minutes into the second half of a contest spoiled by blustery conditions.

Sanokho won a tackle in midfield, beat the last defender and confidently rifled the ball home from 12 yards.

However, the Clarets could not hold on for their first Pontin's League win of the season after the Shrews equalised five minutes from time.

A half cleared corner fell to Danny Bragoli, who squeezed a shot past goalkeeper Michael Hale to earn the home side a point.

Yates said: "Credit to the lads in difficult conditions. We tried to get the ball down and play, get down the wings and attack and created quite a few chances.

"We deserved to win, but we just didn't see the game out, which is the only disappointing thing.

"The goal will hopefully do Amadou the world of good though. He's had to be patient in the first team, but he was positive here and got his reward.

"He put himself about and was maybe lucky not to get booked. But the goal will hopefully give him a lift now and he can go on from here."

Burnley Reserves now have a two-week break before resuming action with a trip to Blackpool on Wednesday, November 10.

Burnley: Michael Hale, Joel Pilkington, Neal Trotman, Chris McCann, Paul Scott, Marc Pugh, Amadou Sanokho, Mark Yates (Darrell Avery 70), Nicky Platt (Martin Reilly 85), Matt O'Neill, Alex Taylor (Cayne Hanley 80). Subs not used: Mark Crossley, Tom Ince