EDS slip to defeat away at Blackburn | OneFootball

City’s Elite Development Squad went down to a 2-0 defeat at Blackburn on what proved a frustrating return to PL2 action at the County Ground, Leyland.

An early penalty from Igor Tyjon saw Blackburn take a ninth minute lead with the hosts then doubling their advantage thanks to a 25th minute strike from Brandon Powell.

Ben Wilkinson’s youngsters carved out plenty of possession and chances, especially in a dominant second half which saw Divine Mukasa hit the bar with a fine free-kick as we lay siege to the Blackburn box.

But Rovers held firm to claim all three points in east Lancashire.

The game in 250 words

With a stiff breeze making life tough for both teams, City made a bright start with Ashton  Muir seeing a shot fire just over on three minutes after a neat intricate move

Four minutes later a goalbound Matty Warhust header was  denied by a superb save from  Rovers keeper Nicholas Michalski.

But it was Rovers who struck first on nine minutes via an Igor Tyjon penalty after the hosts had turned defence into attack in an instant with a long ball piercing the City back line,

Tyjon it was who broke free and was brought down in the box by Blues keeper Jack Wint with ref Melissa Burgin instantly pointing to the spot and Tyjon making no mistake from the spot to fire the hosts ahead.

Michalksi earned his spurs again on 20 minutes to smother Mukasa’s free-kick but it was Rovers who struck again on 25 minutes

Another quickfire attack pierced the Blues back line with Tyjon again causing issues, he in turn fed the onrushing Brandon Powell who rifled home from 18 yards to double Rovers’ lead.

City sought an instant response after the break and Emilio Lawrence was whisker away from narrowing the deficit with a dipping 48th minute effort.

Substitute Charlie Gray then saw a fine 25 yard shot whistle just over with the young Blues dominating both territory and chances.

And City wee desperately unlucky when a sublime 83rd minute Divine Mukasa free kick rattled back off the crossbar onto the Rovers goal line.

How we lined up

Jack Wint was in goal and shielded by a back four of Harrison Parker, Kian Noble, Stephen Mfuni and Seb Naylor.

Femi Fapetu was the holding midfielder with Divine Mukasa and Jaden Heskey also in the engine room.

Matty Warhurst spearheaded City’s attack with Ashton Muir and Emilio Lawrence also up front.

BLACKBURN: Michalski, Houghton, Pates, Davies, Vare, Doherty (Decandia 65), Stritch, Chukwu, Tyjon (Boggan 45), Powell

Subs: Honor, Potter, Dlamini

EDS XI: Wint, Parker, Naylor, Noble (McAidoo 62), Mfuni. Fapetu (Gray 45), Heskey (c), Mukasa, Muir, Warhurst (R Heskey 70), Lawrence (Sangare 70)

Subs: Brits

What it means

The result sees City sit in 17th place in the PL2 table with seven points from six games.

What’s next

The City youngsters are back in action on Tuesday when we travel to Rotherham United for our final EFL Trophy group game.

Going into the match, City lie second in Group E on three points. Kick off at the ASSEAL New York Stadium is set for 19.00 (UK).