FA Youth Cup: Blackburn Rovers Youth 1 Sheffield United Youth 2 - Peter White reports

NOT EVEN a marvellous solo goal from left winger Paul Forsyth could prevent Blackburn Rovers from going out of the FA Youth Cup at Ewood last night.

A disappointing team performance means there will be no repeat of last season's glory when Rovers finished runners-up to Everton.

And they really had only themselves to blame.

Rovers still created enough chances to have won this fourth round tie but they rarely knitted together as a team and they would also be unhappy about the two goals they conceded to a competitive Sheffield United side.

These Blades were sharp, whereas Rovers lacked an edge.

Yet they made a bright start to the game and it was somewhat against the run of play when Steven Spencer hit a left foot shot in off a post to give Sheffield the lead in the 16th minute.

Rovers paid the penalty for poor defending from a free kick.

Scores should have been level before half time but, although goal machine Gary Hamilton did a lot of good work outside the penalty area, his scoring touch was missing last night. He had the best opportunity of the game in the 22nd minute when a lovely touch from big Ben Burgess put him clear but he opted to dribble round the keeper and the chance was suddenly smothered.

Rovers midfielder Steven Hawe brought two fine saves from the Sheffield keeper and Burgess was close with a thundering drive, but it was eight minutes into the second half before the equaliser arrived.

Forsyth, confronted by plenty of defenders, decided to take them on. He left at least two men trailing in his wake, as he cut in from the left, before finishing decisively for a superb goal.

The winger, who missed much of last season's run to the final through injury, had found the going tough, but this was a goal to remember.

It should have sparked a Rovers charge to victory and Hamilton and Darren Dunning forced good saves. But it was Sheffield who had the last word and, again, an inquest was needed in the home ranks. From a 76th minute right wing corner, Paul Dempsey found acres of space. Keeper Michael Bingham came out to punch, but failed to make it and Dempsey's header proved to be the winner.

The young Rovers, who looked a little nervous on their first home appearance of the season, probably felt they had not done themselves justice. But, in Cup football, you only get one chance which is a lesson to be learned.

ROVERS: Bingham, R Dunning, Howson, Murphy, Douglas, Baldacchino, Hawe, D Dunning (sub Hardy 82 mins), Forsyth, Hamilton, Burgess. Subs not used: Chamberlain, Flitcroft, Foster, Hind (gk).

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