THE Blackburn Rovers Academy side won the inaugural Carling Soccer Sevens at the Hong Kong Football Club.

Playing against senior sides from Hong Kong, China and South East Asia as well as Glasgow Celtic's under 20 team, Rob Kelly's talented young outfit beat the Scots 1-0 in a tight and tense 10 minutes each way final in extreme heat and humidity yesterday.

Rovers were undefeated in six games and did not concede a single goal during the tournament.

The Celtic team piled on the pressure in the final but were kept at bay by some inspired goalkeeping from Gareth Stewart.

Blackburn dug deep and their resilience was rewarded three minutes from time as young Irishman Paul Forsyth scored an excellent individual goal from just inside the box, rifling home a fierce left footer. And itt was his semi-final goal that clinched a 1-0 victory over Lamma Island.

Forsyth was also on target in a first round 3-0 win against the Yauyee League Select, Lee Hardy hitting the other two.

Rovers also beat Old Meadowians by the same score, thanks to goals from Peter Murphy, Steve Hawe and an own goal.

Another 1-0 victory against Gwellas took Rovers into the quarter finals, Garth Scates on target, where goals from Lee Hardy and Jonathan Douglas were enough to beat Macedonians.

Academy assistant director, Kelly, was as impressed with his squad's off the field performance and said: "Our boys have done the club, the town and English football proud in Hong Kong this weekend."

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