Kiwis abroad: Payne nets in FA Youth Cup final

New Zealand age group star Tim Payne scored the only goal in Blackburn’s second leg FA Youth Cup semi final victory over Chelsea at Ewood Park overnight, but it wasn’t enough as Chelsea won 4-1 on aggregate.

May 10, 2012

AUCKLAND – New Zealand age group star Tim Payne scored the only goal in Blackburn’s second leg FA Youth Cup semi final victory over Chelsea at Ewood Park overnight, but it wasn’t enough as Chelsea won 4-1 on aggregate.

Payne’s first goal in the U-18 competition came in the 25th minute giving Rovers Academy some hope of reversing the 0-4 first leg deficit from Stamford Bridge.

Rovers were chasing a double after a 1-0 league victory over Manchester United last week sealed honours in Group C of the FA’s Academy League ahead of Manchester City.

The Lancashire club then defeated Group D winners Newcastle 2-0 on Sunday to set up an Academy League Grand Final showdown against Fulham on Saturday.

Payne joined Blackburn in January this year after impressing for New Zealand sides at FIFA U-17 and U-20 World Cups in 2011.