By Harvey Latimer
A Ty Livesey hat-trick secured an opening day win for Blackburn Rovers as they cruised to a 4-1 triumph over fellow English side Crewe Alexandra.
The rovers frontman was lively from the offset, striking the woodwork after some sloppy play out from the back from their opponents in the opening stages.
However, it was Crewe that drew first blood. A long ball from the back picked out a perfect run from striker Jacob Worthington down the left channel, who had the composure to slot it past Blackburn keeper’ Rico O’Neill.
The goal brought about a terrific response from the young Blackburn side, as two quick fire goals saw them turn the game around. Oliver Flynn got the equaliser after converting from a Livesey cross, before Livesey himself got on the scoresheet. From a Crewe free kick, the striker latched onto a long ball and finished coolly, completing a super breakaway goal.
A fourth goal in the game was threatening with both sides having chances early in the second period. Livesey struck the woodwork for the second time with his free kick, while at the other end, full back Oliver Hall’s free kick flashed across the face of goal, but no one managed to get the finishing touch.
The Crewe crossbar was struck again shortly after, this time by Charlie Taulty. The Blackburn winger was impressing on the right and almost scored a spectacular overhead kick, which just sailed wide.
On the opposite side, Darnell Williams was causing havoc with his tricky feet and found Livesey free in the box but his effort was cleared off the line by recovering defender Hall.
Livesey wasn’t to be denied his second goal, however, and capitalised on a tame pass from the Crewe goalkeeper to score and effectively put the game to bed.
The icing on the cake came in stoppage time for rovers and Livesey who sealed a deserved hat-trick. After Seb Burgess was fouled by Crewe substitute Koko Popov just outside the box, the striker produced a super free kick over the wall and into the top left corner of the Crewe net.
An impressive showing from Blackburn who will look to make it two from two on Tuesday against Co.Tyrone whilst Crewe Alexandra also face country opposition in the form of Co. Armagh.