Ludlow 5 - 0 Blackburn (388108880)

Overcast weather free of rain made for a crowd turnout of 43465 at www.Spel.nu Arena - Whitney Park today. Alexander Graafsma was the appointed referee with assistance provided by Davide Cassaletti and Jens Büchner. Ludlow tactics involved an interesting 3-5-2 combination. The following players had been chosen: Rodsten - Sahler, Vouzakis, Strömborg - Gröönén, Jörgensson, Säfner, Askenander, Fogeltorp - Torsson, Santiago.

A 3-5-2 alignment was the formation of choice for Blackburn. The following players took the field: Pinilla - Webers, Shift, Fröquist - Garategui, Jelikić, Hörmo, Sörensson, Persson - Obregón, Pękacki.

Blackburn demonstrated their creative tactics on the field. After some beautiful movement down the left wing, J. Torsson scored for Ludlow putting them ahead 1 - 0, after 23 minutes. A counterattack by Ludlow after 39 minutes could have resulted in a goal, but D. Gröönén, coming in on the left, couldn't get the shot off. H. Santiago had a fantastic opportunity to put Ludlow up another goal 42 minutes into the match, but he fired just over the crossbar. Things were deteriorating for the away team as Ludlow scored another to make it 2 - 0 after a left side attack resulted in a goal for D. Askenander after 43 minutes. By now, the players in Ludlow felt that victory was guaranteed and began to play it safe, focusing on defence and not risking too much going forward. 2 - 0 was the halftime score. Possession in this half belonged to Ludlow, who controlled the ball 54 percent of the time.

With 46 minutes played, the Blackburn coach decided a substitution may help turn the game around. S. Tillhall came on, R. Jelikić had to leave the fray. After 64 minutes, A. Fogeltorp put Ludlow ahead 3 - 0 when he rose to head in a cross from the right wing. After 75 minutes, Blackburn switched D. Pękacki with M. Kondrak, hoping for a quick impact on the pitch. Although the whole team were struggling to impress, Blackburn's V. Persson was singled out as being the problem as he was called off the pitch after 75 minutes. R. Vinlind was given a chance to change things around. After 76 minutes Blackburn's O. Sörensson limped slightly after a late challenge, but he was able to continue. The Ludlow free kick 83 minutes into the match seemed wasted, as the shot was both short and off target. But was this actually a plan? The ball landed at the feet of I. Sahler, who was completely unmarked in the box. That's 4 - 0! Ludlow increased the lead as P. Jörgensson struck to make the score 5 - 0 after an attack from the left left him unmarked in front of the keeper. Ludlow enjoyed most of the ball, as they maintained 53 percent of possession.

Most important Ludlow player was H. Santiago. On the other hand, I. Sahler's play was disheartening. Blackburn's top performer was clearly S. Tillhall. G. Garategui on the other hand, had a terrible day. The match ends 5 - 0.