Rovers under 18s made it back-to-back wins at the weekend with a 4-1 demolition of Sheffield United at Brockhall.
Fresh from their previous weekend's win away at Huddersfield Town, Rovers dispatched this Yorkshire side in convincing fashion as Josh Morris, Jason Banton, Jordan Bowen and Michael Potts all got on the scoresheet.
From the off Rovers were dominant, just two minutes in midfielder Josh Lowe hit a fantastic 20 yard shot that the Sheffield goalkeeper did brilliantly to turn aside. From the resulting corner the Blades' number one denied Phil Jones from close range.
The United goalkeeper was certainly to have a busy afternoon, Jordan Bowen forcing the opposition 'keeper into making another fine save early on. Yet it was Rovers goalkeeper Josh Swann who would play an influential part on 21 minutes.
With the visitors pressing for the opening goal, the referee ruled there had been a push in the area and despite protests from the home side a penalty kick was rewarded. But Swann was the Rovers saviour as he dived to his right to make a great save.
Boosted by Swann's heroics, Rovers then went and took the lead just five minutes later. The lively Jason Banton saw his effort crash off the crossbar but Josh Morris was quickest to react to head home for his fifth of the season.
On the half hour the lead was doubled, Banton getting the goal his fine play deserved. Cutting in from the right the young forward smashed a left-footed effort from 20 yards that flew into the goalkeeper's left hand corner.
The under 18s continued their dominance in the second half, three minutes after the restart Tom Hitchcock saw a decent effort again well saved by the busy Blades goalkeeper.
Just before the hour mark defender Callum O'Connor then had two chances to score his first goal for the Academy. Great passing from Lowe, Bowen and Hitchcock saw the right back released through on goal but he shot straight at the goalkeeper.
Three minutes later and the same situation arose as Jason Lowe fed O'Connor but again he was denied by the United 'keeper. Moments later Jordan Bowen was denied following a smart move down the left involving Michael Hall and Josh Morris.
But unlike O'Connor, Bowen wasn't to miss his second chance, and when Phil Jones broke well from the back before releasing a slide-rule forward pass, Jordan Bowen (pictured) raced through to calmly slot the ball past the goalkeeper for his second of the season to make it 3-0.
Rovers increased their lead on 79 minutes with a fine solo goal from Michael Potts. The Rovers substitute showed good close control to beat three men before firing home.
But with the game wrapped up Rovers then let themselves down with five minutes remaining as they allowed Sheffield United to grab a consolation goal. Josh Swann had saved the initial shot, but in pushing the ball away it bounced off the foot of the post and fell kindly to a United player who scored from close range.
But despite the disappointment of conceding a late goal, it didn't take the gloss off an impressive display.
"It was a very pleasing performance," said coach Gary Bowyer. "Especially in the second half when the players really passed the ball well at times. But to be fair to them they have displayed that level of performance quite a few times without getting the goals that their play has deserved this season.
"We are now going to challenge them to finish the season off in same manner in final two games, we will keep demanding that level of quality that they produced at the weekend."
The under 18s have just two games remaining this season. Wednesday evening at 5.15pm sees them away at Manchester United at their Carrington Training Ground, before their final home game against Bolton Wanderers at Brockhall this Saturday, kick-off 11.00am.
ROVERS: Swann, C. O'Connor (c), Hall, Lowe (sub Potts 65 mins), Hanley, Jones (sub Ajagbe 78 mins), Morrissey (sub Evans 79 mins), Bowen, Hitchcock, Banton, Morris.
Subs not used: Bussmann.
