In this Andy Cryer piece on the Rover Reserves 2-0 win over Leigh Genesis, you can read about how he Hoilett scored the two goals for Rovers. This promising youngster set to light up Ewood this season was almost not to be due to some work permit restrictions though, but heres what happened.

A product of the Rovers academy, Hoilett was sent out on loan to SC Paderborn for a half season in the 2. Bundesliga where he scored once in 12 appearances. Then last season, he was on loan at FC St. Pauli, also in the 2. Bundesliga, where he scored six in 21 appearances. Needless to say the youngster, only 18 at the time, (he’s 19 now) was showing some promise.

When it came time to decide what Rovers wanted to do with him this season, he declared he would not be returning to the 2. Bundesliga or St. Pauli, and wanted t play at a higher level and Rovers decided to bring him back to the club to play witht he Ressies and possibly the first team.

However his age, his lack of caps for Canada and Canada’s Fifa ranking left some issues with Hoilett’s work permit. This confused everyone, including Rovers, who requested a meeting with the Board to hear the case of the youngster. Rovers had his rights, he was under contract with us. He was, for all intents and purposes, a Rovers player. How could he not be allowed into the country?

In a landmark decision, a review board voted unanimously to allow Hoilett back into the country to play for Rovers. In a crazy football world with rulings and decisions all the time that make us scratch our heads, with smaller clubs being abused by a Big 4 bias, it was very rewarding to see some level headed and fairness. I look forward to seeing this lad come out with some sub appearances and light up the pitch with his pace and skill. Best of luck to him.

On to international news:
Andre Ooijer and the Netherlands kept their winning ways alive and beat Iceland 2-0 in a game where the Rovers defender played the full 90. A reassuring outcome since last time when he came off injured in the 28th.

Captain Zurab Khizanishvili picked up a yellow and played the full game in Georgia’s draw with Cyprus. The game ended 1-1.

MGP came on in the 76th for Norway but couldn’t impact the game as the game ended in a goalless draw.

Benni McCarthy and Aaron Mokoena both played in the 1-0 win over Equatorial New Guinea.

Christopher Samba’s efforts turned out to be in vain as Congo fell to the Sudan this weekend.

God I can’t wait for the break to end and we go and beat Notlob this weekend. UP THE ROVERS!

Ince delighted for Jason Brown — TEAMtalk

Tugay showing no signs of stopping — Setanta

Alan Judge working back to 100% — The Blackburn Citizen

Skipper Nelson hails “Team Ince” — The Blackburn Citizen

Ince: “Our fans were absolutely awesome.” — The Blackburn Citizen

Simpson learning for Nigel — FoxSoccer.com

Ince eying Cup Success — SkySports

Ince still looking for more — 4thegame.com

West Ham eying up Zurab? — The Mirror

That should keep you busy as you kill some time this evening before Monday Night Football or Heroes. Up The Rovers!

Reserves

Newcastle away – 4-2 (Keith Treacy, Marcus Marshall, Josh O’Keefe Jamie Clarke)

Bolton away – 1-0 (Keith Treacy) (Keith Treacy sent off)

The reserves play Bolton again tonight in the Lancashire Cup quarter final at Morecambe, they beat Bolton in last year’s final 6-2! They are currently fifth in the ten team league but with games in hand.

Youth

Wolves away – 2-0 (Marcus Marshall, Aaron Doran)

Leicester away (cup round 3) – 0-1

Stoke home – 4-1 (Martin McCubbin 3, Kris Paterson)

Man City away – 0-2

Next game is Wolves away on Saturday. On the 8th January Rovers were sixth in the ten team league with games in hand.

Ladies

Liverpool home – 2-3 (Levi Penny, Nicky Harding)

Preston away (Lancashire Cup) – 18-0 (Karen Hanson 4, Stacey Daniel 3, Michelle Walsh 3, Hannah Forster 3, Denise Campbell 2 Katie Anderton 2, Katie Williams)

Birmingham away – 0-1

Arsenal home and Everton home both postponed

Charlton away – 5-0 (Donna Kelynack og, Katie Anderton 2, Karen Burke, Jenna Carroll)

Doncaster away – 0-3

Leeds home – 2-1 (Karen Burke, Katie Anderton)

Chelsea home and Brazil home (Lancashire Cup) postponed

Brighton home (FA Cup) (Katie Anderton 2, Nicki Harding, Denise Campbell)

Doncaster home – 3-2 (Karen Hanson, Katie Anderton, Nicky Twohig)

Next game is Chelsea away on Sunday. Rovers Ladies now occupy an extremely impressive second spot in the Premier League.

Reserves
Rovers 5 – 0 Sunderland
Sergio Peter, Keith Treacy, Stephane Henchoz (yes you have read that right, it is not a typo!), Jamie Clarke and Bruno Berner helping themselves to goals in an easy win for Rovers. Steven Reid also made his comeback in this game after 14 months out.

Man City 3 – 2 Rovers
Another runout for Reid saw Rovers go two up with goals from Sergio Peter and Maceo Rigters. Unfortunately they threw it away and lost the game 3-2.

Rovers 0 – 0 Liverpool
The score mirrored that of the senior game just a week earlier. Reid went off early on after feeling a twinge but it was not as serious as first feared. Sergio Peter was sent off for kicking out at Liverpool’s Leto.

Rovers are 5th in the table on 8 points. Sunderland lead the way on 13 with Bolton at the bottom (10th) with just 2 points.

Youth
Everton 1 – 0 Rovers

Rovers 2 – 3 Man Utd
An Alan Judge penalty and a goal from Marcus Marshall put Rovers 2-0 up but they conceded three second half goals to hand United the win.

Rovers 3 – 1 Man City
City took the lead against the run of play before Michael O’Connor equalised for Rovers in the first half. Second half goals from Gavin Gunning and Aaron Doran gave Rovers the points.

Stoke 0 – 2 Rovers
Michael O’Connor and Aaron Doran score the goals to give Rovers back to back wins.

Ladies
Liverpool 1 – 1 Rovers
Natalie Brewer’s late equaliser gives Rovers a point to continue impressive unbeaten run.

Rovers 2 – 1 Bristol Academy (cup)
Goals from Lynda Shepherd and Katie Anderton gave Rovers a two goal advantage. Bristol scored late on but Rovers hung on.

Leeds 4 – 4 Rovers
Rovers were 3-1 down at half time. A goal from Katie Anderton giving them hope of a fightback. Leeds went 4-1 up in the second half and with 25 minutes to go, Rovers staged a miraculous fightback. Two from Natalie Preston and another for Anderton ensured Rovers went home with a share of the spoils.

Rovers 6 – 0 Charlton
Rovers continued their impressive goalscoring form. Two each for Katie Anderton (who looks on course to hit 500 goals this season) and Caroline Dixon and one each for captain Natalie Preston and Stacey Daniel gave Rovers a comprehensive victory.

Rovers 2 – 3 Liverpool (cup q/final)
Rovers suffered their first defeat in ten games and went out of the cup in an entertaining game. Levi Penny gave us the lead before Liverpool equalised. Liverpool went on to score two goals in six minutes to put the game beyond Rovers. Natalie Preston got one back late on but it wasn’t enough.

The ladies impressive league form sees them lying in third place in the Women’s Premier League behind Bristol Academy and Watford.

Two goals each from Keith Treacy and Raffaele De Vita and one from Maceo Rigters sealing a comfortable win.

Since the last update the ladies drew 1-1 at Liverpool and beat Bristol 2-1 at home in the cup.

Rovers youth finally have a win under their belt. They beat Bolton 2-0. Previous to that they lost 2-0 to Liverpool.

A late Boro equaliser cancelled out Maceo Rigters early goal to send Rovers home with a point.

Bruno Berner returned to the side for the game.

Since my last update the ladies have scored 12 goals!

First, they beat Brighton 8-0 in the cup. Stacey Daniel scored four times on her debut with Levi Penny, Katie Williams, Katie Anderton and Caroline Dixon also getting on the scoresheet.

Next, they beat Watford 4-2 on Sunday to avenge the 3-2 defeat earlier in the season.

Goals came from Karen Burke, captain Natalie Preston, goal machine Katie Anderton and Stacey Daniel.

They are now five games unbeaten and second in the National League table.

A penalty settled the game, won and scored by Jamie Clarke. The win gives Rovers their first three points of the season.

The Academy side drew 1-1 at home to West Brom and continue to struggle.

Rovers deserved to win and Aaron Dovan’s early goal should have been enough but a defensive error from Gavin Gunning allowed WBA to equalise.

The reserves have only one point from their first two games after a 0-0 draw with Wigan was followed by a 3-2 defeat at Wigan. Their next game is at home to Man Utd on Monday.

The academy side have struggled to make an impact so far this season. They are in fact without a win. Since the last update they have drawn twice, both goalless at home to Boro and then away at Sheff Wednesday. They are playing West Brom tomorrow with upcoming star Bob Francis set to play. They are currently second from bottom in the Premier Academy League Group C.

The Ladies meanwhile have made an excellent start to the Premier League season and are currently second with Bristol leading the way. Since the defeat at Watford in my last update they were beaten 3-1 at home by Bristol but have since gone on to wins at Cardiff, a draw with Bristol and then a win against Birmingham. Their next game is in the cup on Sunday against Brighton.

Team
Arestidou, C. O’Connor, Kavanagh, M. O’Connor, Paterson, Gunning, Doran, Keita, Simpson (Bowen 82), McCubbin (Kennedy 70), Skidmore (Hall 80). Subs: Roberts, Bussman.

Meanwhile the Ladies have had mixed fortunes in their last two games. A 3-1 defeat at Bristol last Sunday was followed by a 3-1 win at home to Cardiff.

Caroline Dixon got her first goal of the season in the Bristol game.

Team v Bristol
Hobbs, Carroll (Daniel 83), Brewer, Eadie, Harding, Burke, Shepherd, Campbell (Dixon 62), Preston, Penny (Walsh 65), Anderton. Subs: Jones.

Rovers came behind at Cardiff to secure a much-needed win after succesive defeats. Two goals from Katie Anderton and one for Kaz Dixon ensured the points for Rovers.

Team v Cardiff
Hobbs, Eadie (Penny), Carroll, Brewer (Walsh), Harding, Burke, Campbell, Preston, Shepherd, Anderton, Dixon (Daniel).