Blackburn spring shock on the Dale
Blackburn take derby cup tie honours
Blackburn United .... 4 Armadale Thistle .... 0 Blackburn United caused the shock of the East of Scotland Cup first round with a convincing victory against local rivals Armadale Thistle.
United have started their South Division season in stunning fashion, winning all four of their games, but the nature of their win against higher league opposition at the Dem Master Community Stadium suggests their flying start has been no fluke.
The opening stages were scrappy with little neat football being played by either side although the hosts passed up a great opportunity to take the lead after 12 minutes when Gary Calvey pounced on a defence-splitting ball from Aaron Gowans, but his effort rattled the woodwork and rebounded into the arms of Thistle goalie Bruno Maltoni.
At the other end, Darren Downie squandered a couple of chances, firstly heading over the bar before seeing Gary King make a comfortable save as the visitors grew into the match.
Just as Thistle were starting to take control, they fell behind after 35 minutes when Gowans picked up the ball in his own half and proceeded to run at the Armadale defence before neatly firing the ball beyond Maltoni for the opening goal.
Thistle’s Bryan King saw his thunderous strike blocked by Ewan Herriot just before the interval as the visitors searched for an equaliser.
The Volunteer Park men began the second half on the front foot but their inability to make it count with a goal would prove crucial.
Lewis Milton’s cross was brilliantly chested down by Steven Weir but once again Herriot was able to fling himself in front of the shot to block any danger with Armadale’s best chance.
Chris Marshall doubled United’s
advantage as the hosts cut through the Thistle defence far too easily.
Martin Lawrie found Calvey whose quick pass released Marshall in the behind the Dale defence before he steadied himself and calmly picked his spot beyond Maltoni and into the far corner.
With the visitors now chasing the game as they looked to get back into the tie, Blackburn were able to pick them off and once again it was Lawrie who started the move that saw United increase their lead.
The defender broke up a Jags attack before finding Gowans on the right wing. He in turn fed Campbell who showed plenty of composure to slip the ball under the onrushing Maltoni.
Six minutes later the scoring was complete when Lawrie’s free- kick played in the energetic Marshall who squared the ball across the six-yard box to give Campbell the easiest of tap-ins.
The striker could have scored his hat-trick in the dying stages but blazed wildly over the bar when well positioned but it mattered not as the hosts had wrapped up their spot in the second round well beforehand.
Blackburn United make the short trip to Pumpherston this weekend with both teams sitting pretty on 12 points from their four league games.
Armadale Thistle will be looking to kick-start their Premier League campaign at Volunteer Park with the visit of St Andrews United.
The Jags are currently unbeaten at home this season, in stark contrast to their poor away form, and they’ll hope they can continue that run against a St Andrews side sitting in second place. Both games kick-off at 2.30pm.