Daniel Nkrumah’s clinical finish wasn’t enough to rescue Middlesbrough U-21s as they fell 3-2 to Blackburn Rovers U-21s in an action-packed Premier League 2 clash at the Lancashire FA County Ground.
Blackburn struck first in the 8th minute through Harrison Wood, but Nkrumah responded swiftly with a stunning top-corner strike after a well-worked corner in the 17th minute to level the score. Despite the equalizer, Jack Stott and Rio Patterson-Powell saw golden chances go begging as Boro piled on the pressure before halftime.
Wood restored Blackburn’s lead early in the second half, completing his brace in the 51st minute. Though Boro fought valiantly, Blackburn’s defense, marshaled by goalkeeper Jack Barrett, kept them at bay.
With five minutes left, Ajay Matthews equalized for Boro with a clinical finish from close range, sparking hope for a comeback. However, just two minutes later, Exauce Mafoumbi’s long-range effort dashed those hopes, sealing victory for Blackburn.
Despite the defeat, Nkrumah’s performance stood out, showing promise as he led the line and played the full 90 minutes.
