Related News

HomeSportsSoccer

Villanueva to Rovers' rescue in the FA Cup

CARLOS Villanueva's stunning free-kick gave Blackburn a 1-0 victory at non-league Blyth Spartans in the third round of the FA Cup on Monday, setting up a meeting with Sunderland for a place in the last 16.

The Chile international scored the only goal in the 58th minute from 25 meters with a shot that curled and flew into the top corner, saving the Premier League club from an embarrassing setback.

"It would have been disappointing had we not won this game," Rovers manager Sam Allardyce said.

"It was a wonderful goal from Carlos. We should have been a bit more clinical."

Allardyce, whose team is next to last in the Premier League, changed his entire lineup and filled his side with mainly backup players at Croft Park. Blyth plays in the sixth tier of English football and had taken only one point from its last 11 league games, but managed to give Rovers a first-half scare.

Blyth striker Ged Dalton squandered a great chance to take a 26th-minute lead when he collected a weak clearance by Rovers' Aaron Mokoena but shot wide with goalkeeper Mark Bunn off his line.

Blackburn then began to dominate and Spartans keeper Mark Bell saved from Keith Treacy.

Blyth missed a late chance to force a replay when Spartans opened up the Blackburn defense only for Andy Wright to fire a right-footer a meter wide.


 

Copyright 漏 1999- Shanghai Daily. All rights reserved.Preferably viewed with Internet Explorer 8 or newer browsers.

娌叕缃戝畨澶 31010602000204鍙

Email this to your friend