Blackburn battered as Oriola shines

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Albion made it back-to-back 4-0 wins as they thumped Blackburn.

Neil Moxley

2025-08-22T21:10+01:00

Nehemiah Oriola helped himself to two goals in the win at Ewood Park. 📷 by Craig Galloway.

Nehemiah Oriola grabbed the glory as Shannon Ruth’s youngsters maintained their 100 per cent start to the season.

The 18-year-old scored twice and claimed an assist as Albion made it back-to-back league victories at Ewood Park.

The livewire forward struck a superb first-time shot to open the scoring and was then fouled six minutes before the break for Josh Robertson to give the visitors a two-goal half-time cushion.

It could have been a more profitable evening for the former Manchester United academy player.

He missed the chance from the penalty spot that would have followed Shane Nti’s treble against West Bromwich Albion on the opening day with a second hat-trick in successive outings.

Charlie Penman struck late on for his first goal of the season. 📷 by Craig Galloway.

It was a comfortable evening for Ruth’s youngsters once they took the lead in the 23rd minute.

Left-back Jacob Slater started the move, winning possession near the halfway line. Joe Belmont collected the ball, spraying a crossfield pass with the outside of his right foot to Charlie Tasker.

The full-back strode forward and found Oriola who had timed his run to perfection, breaking beyond Blackburn’s rearguard. His first-time shot flew into the net.

Six minutes before the interval, the lead was doubled. Slater and Nti combined to escape with the ball from deep inside their own half.

Nti exchanged passes with Belmont and tried to find Oriola who had again escaped from his marker Brandon Powell.

He was upended as he went to finish with referee Declan Bourne pointing to the spot. Robertson finished confidently.

Josh Robertson scored from the penalty spot. 📷 by Craig Galloway.

In the final ten minutes, Albion hit overdrive.

Oriola was fouled again by Powell. He took the penalty himself but saw Rovers’ keeper Jack Barrett save his spot-kick.

However, seven minutes from time the forward grabbed his second after Nti unselfishly set him up.

Defender Charlie Penman was on hand to sidefoot home from inside the six-yard box in the dying moments to round off a satisfactory evening in Lancashire.