Blackburn Rovers 1 NEC Breda 1

9:54am Monday 11th August 2008

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By Gary York »

WITH Roque Santa Cruz, Morten Gamst Pedersen and Brett Emerton out injured, and Ryan Nelsen on Olympic duty, Paul Ince, in his first game in charge at Ewood Park, was unable to field his first-choice line-up.

Down the spine, Andre Ooijer partnered Chris Samba in defence, captain David Dunn was alongside Steven Reid in midfield and, up top, Benni McCarthy spearheaded the attack with Jason Roberts.

There was more for Ince to chew over down the flanks, with Danny Simpson making his debut at right-back, and Keith Treacy and Matt Derbyshire operating the wings.

In miserable wet conditions throughout, it was Breda that took a surprise half-time lead, after Hungarian Csaba Feher beat Paul Robinson, making his home debut, with a deflected 30-yard drive.

But Rovers, instilled with far greater urgency after the break, levelled on 55 minutes, Roberts nodding home with an easy header.

>From that point, Rovers dominated their Dutch opponents and, with better finishing, would have wrapped up their pre-season programme with a win.

Danny Simpson was certainly not afraid of running the extra mile down the flank and looks a decent acquisition.

In many ways a carbon-copy of Warnock - small, strong, pacy, but with a trustier right foot - the Salfordian motors up and down with energy to spare.

On several occasions, he was in hot pursuit down the right channels, teaming up with Derbyshire and the Rovers front two. It was encouraging.

Aside from one slack touch, from which he did recover to deny NAC a one-on-one possibility, the right-back enjoyed a fine debut.

It was a low-key affair against Breda - with a shortage of real clear-cut chances.

Conditions were poor but, to the credit of both sides, they kept the ball on the deck for 90 minutes, with some nice exchanges along the way.

It wasn’t until the 12th minute when Rovers had their first sighter towards goal, Reid thrashing over from inside the box.

On the half-hour, Blackburn produced their best move of the game.

McCarthy, racing into the Breda area, was superbly picked out by Treacy from the left.

However, fully on the stretch, the South African failed to keep his shot down.

NAC, challengers in the Dutch top flight last term for a Champions League spot, were handy enough.

And on the stroke of half-time, the opponents opened the scoring with a piledriver from Feher.

The ball fell invitingly for the Hungarian and, from 30 yards, his sweet left foot drive ricocheted in front of Robinson before finding the top corner.

It was a moment to savour for the small sprinkling of Breda fans in the Darwen End.

Rovers were short of a spark, but they delivered greater energy and purpose in the second-half.

They rushed out of the traps. Warnock’s volley cannoned off Patrick Zwaanswijk, before Reid smashing another effort just over.

Prickled with more urgency, Rovers continued to bound forward for an equaliser.

Roberts showed the way, racing through the challenge of NAC skipper Rob Penders before lashing a stinging low effort on goal.

Jelle Ten Rouwelaar was agile to the fizzing shot, but the Grenadan’s intent perked up a previously subdued crowd.

The former Wigan striker was not to be denied a minute later, however, as he was presented the easiest of opportunities to send Blackburn level.

Treacy, full of running down the left, raced to the by-line before whipping over a sumptuous cross to the back post.

Left completely unmarked, Roberts, with a controlled header, simply couldn’t miss from two yards out.

ROVERS: Robinson, Simpson, Ooijer, Samba, Warnock, Derbyshire (Judge 69), Dunn (Tugay 74), Reid, Treacy, Roberts (Doran 82), McCarthy (Fowler 69).

Subs not used: Brown, Vogel, Khizanishvili, Mokoena.

NAC BREDA: ten Rouwelaar, Penders, Zwaanswijk, Kwakman, Lurling (Ammi 78), Kolkka (Gorter 88), Feher, Amoah (Idabdekhay 70), Reuser (Enric 82), Mtiliga, Stam.

Subs not used: van Fessem, Pollack, Tamerus, Pollemans, Kramer, Hofstede. Booked: Zwaanswijk (NAC Breda)