Premier League Cup
Team: Salamon, Putman, Leahy, McCann, McDowell, Wiles, Kennedy, Talla, Vaughan, Murphy, Coomes
Subs: Halliday, Manufor, Neill, Petrie, Ashamu
Under the lights at the SkyEx Community Stadium and it was the visitors who created a good opportunity when Adam Caddick had set-up Aodhan Doherty, but Jaiden Putman was well-placed to block the shot.
At the other end, Rico Kennedy’s cross from the right was headed wide by Rohan Vaughan.
Then for Blackburn, Harry Leonard screwed the ball wide from a position in the penalty area.
It had been a fairly even encounter up until Rovers were awarded a penalty after 18-minutes. Jaiden Putman had bundled over Lewis Bel and Harry Leonard stepped up to place the ball straight down the centre.
The Rovers keeper often took up a position that made him a virtual sweeper!
For the R’s, Rohan Vaughan’s strike flashed wide of the upright.
In the closing stages, Mr Parkinson booked Freddie Leatherbarrow, seemingly for a dangerous high challenge and Jake Coomes’ shot whizzed just wide of the post. Half-time: 0-1.
Robin Ashamu replaced Rohan Vaughan for the commencement of the second-half.
The away side were awarded a second penalty within a minute or so. But this time Harry Leonard smashed his spot-kick against the crossbar.
Rangers drew level after 55 minutes. A superb ball found Jake Coomes and the R’s No.11 then rounded the keeper before tapping the ball into an empty net.
Following a great run by Rico Kennedy, the Rangers’ winger then cut-in and shot into the keeper’s gloves.
And straight after, Matteo Salamon made a superb save to keep the score level.
An excellent move down the left-flank resulted in Rico Kennedy breaking it down and bringing the ball out to safety.
On 68 minutes, Paul Furlong brought on Fraser Neill.
This was soon followed by Harry Leonard firing his shot from outside the box against the corner of the bar/post.
The home side took the lead on 72 minutes. After Harry Murphy had collected a great through-ball, the R’s captain slotted the ball home.
Blackburn went close to an equaliser after a ball squared from the right was knocked just wide of the upright.
Following a superb Rangers move, Jake Coomes set-up Robin Ashamu in the box, and his shot ended up coming off the post.
Harley O’Grady-Macken was shown a yellow card after a naughty challenge.
On 83 minutes, Kieran Petrie was introduced at the expense of Rico Kennedy.
In the closing stages, Jake Leahy was booked, and after requiring some attention, Harry Murphy passed over the captain’s armband as he went off. Sam Manufor replaced him.
Rangers successfully negotiated the seven added minutes, and this decisive victory put them five points clear of the group.
Steve Russell