Honour comes in defeat for Leigh against wily old Rovers

Leigh Genesis 0 Blackburn Rovers Reserves 2

ALTHOUGH Leigh Genesis ended up with their third defeat in four pre-season friendlies they emerged with plenty of credit from a defeat to an experienced Blackburn side, writes Matt Lawton.

Rovers’ team featured several players with Premier League and international experience.

Welsh international goalkeeper Jason Brown made seven first-team appearances last season, while Swedish under 21 defender Martin Olsson has a dozen first-team games under his belt .

Georgian international defender Zurab Khizanishvili has played on more than 90 occasions for Blackburm, while Republic of Ireland under 19 midfielder Aaron Doran featured on three occasions for Sam Alladyce’s men last season.

Striker Paul Gallagher scored 13 goals in 40 Championship appearances for Plymouth Argyle last term, while recently signed forward Elrio Van Heerden, capped 30 times by his native South Africa, also lined up for the visitors.

Canadian striker David Hoilett had a shot cleared off the line by Genesis defender Karl Munroe, who has now signed permanently for the club after a recent trial period, before he put his side in front on 35 minutes.

He broke clear of some slack marking to slide the ball past Stephen Drench.

On the stroke of half-time the visitors were awarded a penalty but Drench kept out Blackman’s tame spot kick.

Brown had to be at his best to keep out a spectacular Jamie Baguley snapshot early in the second half before both sides made a large number of substitutions, including the introduction from the Rovers bench of Julio Santa Cruz, brother of Roque.

Blackburn’s victory was sealed late on when Hoilett’s left-foot strike across goal was knocked over the line by Blackman.

Leigh’s next game is at Kendal Town on Saturday, kick off 3pm, before a shorter journey to face Turton on Tuesday.

Leigh: Drench (GK), Howarth, King, Munroe, Smith, Heald, Dorney, Flitcroft, Chris Baguley, Stepien, Jamie Baguley. Subs (all used): Ince, Ross, Whitham, Settle, Dykes, Sephton, Burns, Green.