Lancastria.net Yea Blackburn!

Blackburn Rovers ended the Sydney Festival of Football as runners-up to AEK Athens after defeating Sydney FC 2-1 in their final game.

Sam Allardyce will be pleased with his side’s convincing display against Sydney but a greater concern for the Rovers manager is his shortage of strikers.

With only two weeks until the start of the Premier League season, Rovers are still without an addition to their attacking ranks. Allardyce has been prevented from signing players due to the club’s potential takeover by a group of Indian businessmen.

Rovers did not field a recognised striker against Sydney, winger was delegated the role of makeshift forward, although the Norwegian did not face a watertight defence.

Mort Gamst Pedersen

Sydney’s defensive frailties were soon apparent as they were required to clear the ball off the line following a Steven Nzonzi header.

Brett Emerton’s acrobatic volley gave Rovers a deserved first half lead, before Morten Gamst Pedersen bundled home after the break.

Brett Emerton

The hosts pulled a goal back through Brosuqe towards the end but, thanks to a good Mark Bunn save, Rovers were able to keep their lead.

El-Hadji Diouf impressed on the left for Rovers as did Morten Gamst Pedersen as the lone man in attack.

Emerton’s chest and volleyed opener came from Gael Givet’s searching free kick, while Pedersen tapped home from Junior Hoilett’s good work on the left.

Blackburn: Bunn; Salgado (Chimbonda, 71), Olsson, Nelsen (Hanley, 58), Givet; Grella (Jones, 57), Emerton (Hoilett, 57) Dunn (Andrews, 66), Diouf, Nzonzi; Pedersen.