Report by Kiwiwannabe Q.E.G.S. WIN THRILLING CUP FINAL QEGS Blackburn won a thrilling Cup Final when they came from 2-0 down to draw and then defeat Millfield on penalties at Leicester City's magnificent Walkers Stadium. Millfield made an excellent start when Luke Shaw hammered a 20 yard drive past QEGS goalkeeper Francis Fielding to give Millfield the lead after just 3 minutes, a goal that was eventually win him the Final's "Golden Moment" Award. QEGS looked out of sorts and Millfield continued to dominate, scoring a second on 31 minutes when a free-kick near the corner flag was headed home by Kyle Follett. It looked at this point as though Millfield might coast home. However QEGS came out for the second half a different side and Mark Fletcher headed home a free-kick despite Bradley Brooke's desperate attempt to scramble the ball clear. QEGS were not only back in the game but on top as Millfield looked a pale shadow of the side they were in the first half. However, it looked as though they had weathered the storm as the game went into the three minutes of added time allotted. Then, as the clock clicked up to time, a through ball was played through, Brooke and a QEGS forward collided and substitute Ross Hawthornthwaite made himself a hero by slotting home the equaliser with barely a few seconds left. There were chances at both ends in extra-time but no further scoring. Kyle Follett was the unlucky man who blasted Millfield's first penalty high over the bar and with all the remaining kicks being scored, it was left to Neville Nelson to slot home the final QEGS kick and give his school the cup for the third time after a truly memorable Final. (report from ISFA Cup website) Photos from the final QEGS website (photos added later today)

The away leg against Villa will be played at Villa Park on the 17th March, 7pm kick off.

Despite going in 2-0 down at half time QEGS Blackburn came back to win on penalties against Millfield in the final of the ISFA Cup at the Walker Stadium tonight. In a dramatic second half QEGS scored twice, the second goal being scored in injury time, to take the game in to extra time, which ended goalless. In the resultant penalty shootout QEGS won 5-4 after Millfield missed their first penalty.

Link to Report on Official Rovers Site. You may need to register

Blackburn Rovers supporters will start the week on an optimistic high, with the news that 19 year old striker has committed himself to the club for a further four and a half years, until the summer of 2008. Glasgow born Gallagher, who recently won his first full international honour for Scotland, was brought up in Blackburn and is a product of the Rovers Academy and made his first start for the first team this season; although he did make an appearance last season coming off the bench in Blackburn’s 2-0 win against this Saturdays opponents Arsenal. Having already tied up the services of Gallagher’s partner up front, Jon Stead until 2008, Blackburn’s striking partnership could soon be turning up the G.A.S. in the Premiership and emulating the nineties S.A.S. partnership of Shearer and Sutton.

Aston Villa v Blackburn Rovers Crewe v Middlesbrough The semi-finals will be contested over two legs.

Following their successful link up with Gençlerbirligi to show the true side of travelling football supporters, Blackburn Rovers Supporters are once again in the forefront of promoting the love of the game. Within hours of the draw for the UEFA Cup, in 2003, fans from brfcs.com made contact with their counterparts at Gençlerbirligi to exchange information on their clubs and the forthcoming game. From these contacts, friendly 7 a-side games were arranged home and away, between the supporters, that forged lasting friendships to show how true football fans unite in their love of the game. Again thanks to a member of this site, Blackburn Rovers Supporters are the first to sign up to The Fan's Football League which aims to promote how Football Fans can mingle together and enjoy the beautiful game, with the aim to dispell the bad name often protrayed in the media. Read more by following the links. Fans Football League brfcs.com Fans Football League Forum Topic

United kicked off attacking the Blackburn End and went close with a header within the first 5 minutes. However Drench in the Blackburn goal quickly organised his defence and commanded his area for the remainder of the game, giving United very few goal scoring opportunities. Blackburn’s Luke Jones and Craig Barr were unfortunate to be both booked within the first 15 minutes for miss timed tackles, however they soon settled and looked solid in the centre of the defence, aided by Peers on the right and Taylor on the left. Rovers took the lead within 15 minutes of the kick off when United’s Martin brought down Peter in the area. The resultant penalty being converted by Byrom, who placed his shot in the opposite corner to the diving United keeper. United main threat came from Calliste, the first occasion when Drench had to race off his line to put the ball into row z, and the second occasion when he was brought down just outside the area by Peers just before half time. Fortunately Peers was not the last defender, so only received a yellow card for the foul. Sergio Peter threaten the United defence throughout the game and his cutting runs in from the right stretched the United keeper on a number of occasions, and with the left back, Taylor venturing more up field in the second half, Rovers stretched United and as the game wore on Rovers looked more like the team that would score. Byrom was again involved in the 80th minute when his free kick from the left hand side was firmly headed into the back of the net by Barker. Final score 2-0 © 2004 BRFCS.com

A goal in each half gave Blackburn's Youth team, a well deserved 2-0 win at Ewood this afternoon to knock the cup holders, Manchester United out of the FA Youth Cup. Rovers. Drench, Peers, Andy Taylor, Luke Jones, Barr, Weaver, Peter, Stopforth, Walsh (Garner), Barker, Byrom. Subs not used. Hodge, Zak Jones, Reid, Welch. Yellow cards. Peers, L Jones, Barr. Goal scorers. Byrom.(pen) 15min, Barker 81min. United. Heaton, Howard, Eckersley, Spector, McShane(Hogg),R Jones, Eagle, Ngalula, Ebanks-Blake, Calliste (Puustinen), Matin. Subs not used. Picken, Lee, Neumayr. Yellow cards. Howard. Ref M Jones. Attendance 3206.

Blackburn's former Repubic of Ireland keeper, Alan Kelly has been forced into early retirement, due to injury. On behalf of member of this site, I would thank Alan for the service he's given to the Rovers and wish him the best for the future.

Reports this morning 5th March, indicate that all Rovers players have returned from their Spanish training camp with no injuries, with Amoruso and Reid ready for selection for the Arsenal game.

How United got through to the quarter finals. • 2-1 v Rushden & Diamonds at Nene Park • 2-0 v Manchester City at Old Trafford • 4-2 v Norwich City at Old Trafford

How the Rovers got to the Quarter Finals. 6th Round FA Youth Cup, at home to Gillingham. 2-1 Team. Drench, Peers, Andy Taylor, Weaver, Luke Jones, Walsh, Peter, Byrom, Derbyshire (Garner 30min), Barker, Sakali (Stopforth 2min) Subs not used : Barr, Zac Jones, Hodge, Thomas. Rovers Scorers. Andy Taylor 72 min, Garner 81min. Gillingham Scorer. Edusei 5th Round FA Youth Cup at home to West Bromwich Albion 6-2. Team. Drench, Peers, A.Taylor, Weaver, Luke Jones, Walsh, Peter(Stopforth84), Byrom, Derbyshire, Barker(Garner 77), Corvino(Sakali 46). Subs not used. Bair, Zak Jones. Rovers Scorers Byrom 11 min Barker 12 min, 39 min, 47 min, Peter 52 min, Derbyshire 63 min. WBA Scorers : Smirkle, Paszkowel. 4th Round FA Youth Cup away to Bury St. Edmunds. 0-2 Rovers Scorers Barr 35min, Derbyshire 47 min.

A semi final tie against Aston Villa awaits the winners of the FA Youth Cup Quarter Final between Blackburn and Manchester United. Rovers will take on United at Ewood on Saturday, 6th March. 2p.m. kick off. Turnstiles will open for the Blackburn End Lower and Jack Walker Stand Lower at 12.30. As a warm up to the FA Youth Cup game, the Manchester United v Fulham FA Cup tie will be shown live on the concourse screens. Admission free for season ticket holders. Non season ticket holders £1 juniors, £3 others

Reports would indicate that Blackburn's injury crisis is clearing up and that Steven Reid and Lorenzo Amoruso are close to making a return to first team duty. Reid (hamstring injury) has been out since December and Amoruso (knee injury) has been out since October have both joined the squad for a the trip to Marbella and could be in contention for a recall for the Arsenal game at Ewood on the 13th March. Paul Gallagher who limped out of the Southampton game at half time with a hamstring problem, has not travelled with the first team to Marbella, but his injury is not thought to be serious. Although David Thompson (knee) is not expected to play again this season Blackburn's other injured players Jon Stead (hamstring) could be back for the Portsmouth game and Barry Ferguson (knee) could return in time for the Easter programme.

Blackburn's utility player Jonathan Douglas's future looks to be on the up, following Graeme Souness's reported comments. "I've told Jonathan we will be sorting out a new deal before the end of the season," This is a turn around in Douglas's prospects, after a cruciate knee injury two seasons ago and starting this season on loan to Blackpool, he is now a regular first team player for Rovers. It would appear that Souness has been pleased with the former academy players displays since breaking into the first team and is ready to offer the former Irish under 21 player a new contract.

Rovers will be without three key players for the clash with United. Matt Derbyshire (ankle ligament) and Tareck Sakali (cruciate knee) picked up their injuries in the last round of the cup against Gillingham, whilst Peter Corvino has undergone an opperation on a long standing groin injury.

Ever increasing admission prices, fixture changes, lack of terrestrial television coverage, and corporate hospitality, is slowly eroding the traditional working class supporter’s love of the game. Once more the average football supporter is the last one to be considered. FIFA president Sepp Blatter now what’s to reduce the Premiership to 18 teams and eventually 16 teams and wants the traditional cup replays scrapped. Why, and for what motive, so that there are no more that 46 dates for domestic games and so that players don’t play more than 60 games. So what are the proposals for the remaining 14 games / dates, could it be for pointless tournaments, international friendlies that would boost the bank balance of FIFA, certainly not the bank balances of the clubs that pay the players wages. For many a supporter, who budgets each week, football is the only escapism from the stresses of the working environment. How many of the domestic football supporters are bothered about or can afford to watch the Whitewash Football Tournament in Costa Plenty, be it live or on pay per view television.

The Quarter Final Tie of the FA Youth Cup between Blackburn and Manchester United, will be played at Ewood next Saturday, 6th March. 2p.m. kick off. Admission free for season ticket holders. Non season ticket holders £1 juniors, £3 others.

Match Report by tucker Edited by Alan75 First Half sumed up our home performances this season, never have I seen a poorer start from Rovers, we were simply dreadful, we lacked fight, cohesian, aggression amongst other things. Yet again there goal was another masterclass from the school of how not to defend, with Short and Babbel continuing on from last weeks shambolic defending, it was simply schoolboy stuff from 2 experienced defenders. Despite the poor start we still created chances, we were able to get in behind there full backs with ease, though Emerton (Penalty?) and Douglass failed to capitalize. On the whole it was pretty poor though, Emerton sauntered about, Andreson couldn't get into the game and Gallagher was pretty ineffective, also surely it is time to try something else on the left, for all Douglas works he is simply not upto scratch on the left Flank. Second half was a different story, the passive display of the first half was replaced with energy and enthusiasm typified by the performance of Michael Gray, who surely showed any doubters that he can slot in at Left Midfield with ease. Andy Cole deserved his goal, it is the first time in a long time that Cole has shown the supporters at Ewood that he actually cares and wants to do well and but for a fine stop from Niemi he could have had another shortly after his equaliser. Still though the Rovers defense looked likely to concede a goal whenever the ball came in from a set piece, and on todays performance I yet again question what the defensive unit gets upto in training. Though the performance of Matt Jansen was quite promising, for the first time some nice touches complemented his ever present work rate.

An early second half equaliser by Andy Cole, cancelled out Southampton’s fifth minute goal in the first half to give Blackburn a share of the points this afternoon. In a first half best forgotten if you were a Blackburn supporters, Southampton took the lead as early as the fifth minute when Beattie set up Kevin Phillips, who made no mistake from close range in front of the Blackburn End. Souness made wholesale changes at half time, shuffling the formation and bringing on Yorke and Jansen for Gallagher and Douglas. Within ten minutes of the restart Rovers had equalised when Cole blasted home past the helpless Niemi in the Southampton goal mouth. Blackburn: Friedel, Neill, Babbel, Short, Gray, Emerton, Andresen, Tugay, Douglas (Jansen 45), Cole, Gallagher (Yorke 45). Subs Not Used: Gresko, Todd, Enckelman. Yellow cards : Babbel. Southampton: Niemi, Dodd, Lundekvam, Michael Svensson, Le Saux, Telfer, Prutton, Delap, Fernandes (McCann 62), Beattie, Phillips (Pahars 88). Subs Not Used: Higginbotham, Ormerod, Smith. Yellow cards : Dodd. Attendance: 21,970 Referee: M Dean Link to Match Report

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Blackburn squad : Friedel, Neill, Short, Babbel, Todd, Gray, Gresko, Emerton, Flitcroft, Tugay, Douglas, Cole, Gallagher, Enckelman, Johansson, Andresen, Jansen, Yorke. Southampton squad : Niemi, Dodd, M Svensson, Higginbotham, Le Saux, Telfer, Prutton, Delap, Fernandes, Beattie, Phillips, Ormerod, Hall, Kenton, Lundekvam, Crainey, Pahars, Smith. Referee : Steve Dunn, who booked Cole and Gresko in Rovers 3-4 defeat against Bolton at Ewood Park.

Tickets are still available for the game. Juniors £5 all areas Seniors £14 all areas Adults start at £15 (CIS outer), £17 (JW Lower Outer) and so on... Link to Ticket Office Details Tickets can be booked online at Seatbooker and picked up on the day of the game.Call 08701 123456 for further information. Also, the matchday programme will be available for online purchase from about 6pm this evening, keep an eye out on the official site later in the day.

Over the years Rover’s and Southampton have been involved in many a transfer deal, Kenna, Davies, Ripley, Ostenstad and whenever anyone mentions the Blackburn Championship winning team, two of the players that spring to mind are Alan Shearer and Tim Flowers, both signed from tomorrows opposition at Ewood Park. Blackburn’s Championship side has now been dismantled, with all the players going in different directions, one of which is Graham Le Saux who returns to Ewood with Southampton tomorrow along with former Rover’s youth team players James Beattie and Brett Ormerod. Not only on the pitch do Rovers and Southampton have links, with Graeme Souness once having also managed Southampton and Blackburn’s Chief Executive John Williams being a Southampton supporters prior to joining Rovers. On the field of play Rovers record against Southampton in the Premiership at Ewood has on the whole being successful with 7 wins and 1 draw. Southampton only once coming away from Ewood with maximum points in the 1998-99 season when Rovers were relegated. With caretaker manager Steve Wigley still in charge for tomorrows game, following the resignation of Gordon Strachan, Southampton players will be eager to impress any prospective new manager, be it Glenn Hoddle or Leeds United coach Kevin Blackwell, who according to some reports is a strong contender for the post, along with former Marseille boss Alain Perrin. Rover’s players also have their own reasons to impress tomorrow, with the news this week that Blackburn’s injury worries are at last clearing up. Reports coming out of Ewood Park would indicate that Reid and Amoruso will be available for selection in two to three weeks and Ferguson could be back in around five weeks. Certain players will need to fight to retain their first team selection when all the squad is fully fit, plus reports that fringe players are performing well at reserve and youth team level. With Rovers again balancing precariously above the relegation zone, tomorrow’s game is another must win game, against a team that hasn’t won in their last five away games. Rover’s should however not be to complacent about this statistic as Southampton have the ability to punish any team, as Everton found out to their cost last weekend, when Southampton came back from two goals down to draw 3-3 at St Mary’s Stadium. A defeat for Rover’s tomorrow is a result that cannot be contemplated if Rovers are to pull away from the relegation pack and a statistic that wouldn’t please Graeme Souness, as it would be his 50th defeat as Rover’s manager. Squad news ……..