Rovers Reserves maintained their unbeaten pre-season run with a 2-0 victory over Leigh Genesis this Tuesday evening.
On a soggy night at Leigh Sports Village David Hoilett announced himself to the Rovers public with an impressive all-round display against the Unibond League side.
The Canadian, who has been on the books at Rovers sine the age of 13 but was only granted a work permit earlier this month, took centre stage with a goal in each half, but it was his link-up play with Elrio van Heerden that caught the eye.
Iain Brunskill named a strong starting eleven with plenty of first team experience spread throughout. Jason Brown started in goal, with a back four of Alex Marrow, Zurab Khizanishvili, Gavin Gunning and Martin Olsson.
MIdfield saw Aaron Doran on the right and Elrio van Heerden on the left, with Paul Gallagher and Alan Judge operating in the centre. Whilst up front were Nick Blackman and David Hoilett.
And Hoilett wasted little time in imposing himself on the game, a great touch two minutes in saw him feed Paul Gallagher but his effort was blocked.
Then five minutes later a great turn by the player they call Junior saw Alan Judge race in the area but he was flagged offside.
Former Rovers goalkeeper Steven Drench impressed the Leigh supporters with a fine one-handed save to deny Hoilett on 18 minutes. Latching onto a quick free-kick the 19-year-old raced into the area to shoot but Drench palmed the ball behind.
Drench followed that save up with stops to deny Judge, Blackman and then Elrio van Heerden.
Just when it looked like Garry Flitcroft's side had weathered the storm the breakthrough finally came on 34 minutes.
Some slick passing saw the ball moved quickly through the centre of midfield out wide left to van Heerden who slipped Hoilett through past the Leigh defence and he beat the advancing Drench with a deft shot.
Whilst enjoying spells of possession, Leigh rarely threatened as an attacking force in the first half. A shot by Chris Baguley that struck the side netting the closest they came to leveling.
Rovers had the chance to extend their lead just before the break from the penalty spot after that man Hoilett was brought down in the box. But Nick Blackman's poorly taken penalty kick was comfortably saved by Drench.
The home side started the second half brightly with Jason Brown called upon twice in quick succession. First he got down smartly to stop a snapshot from Jamie Baguley, then his positioning was correct as Jack Dorney fired goal-wards.
But it was Rovers who continued to carve out the better chances. Hoilett wasted a chance to grab his second when he blazed over after van Heerden's centre somehow arrived at the striker's feet.
However on 66 minutes the second goal did come and once again it was no surprise it was from Hoilett. Van Heerden was again the provider with a cross from the left, Blackman couldn't direct the ball goal-wards but Hoilett was there to calmly finish.
That second goal prompted a raft of substitutions from Iain Brunskill, van Heerden's replacement Marcus Marshall catching the eye with a strong run cutting in from the left but Blackman's effort was blocked.
Gavin Gunning, who had looked calm and composed alongside Zurab Khizanishvili at the back for Rovers, should have added a third five minutes from time, but from Andy Haworth's inswinging corner he somehow headed down and over the bar when unmarked in the area.
The Reserves are next in action this Friday evening at the Crown Ground to face Accrington Stanley. Kick-off is 7.30pm. Admission prices are £10 for Adults and £5 Concessions.
LEIGH GENESIS: Drench, Haworth (sub Ross 57 mins), King, Munroe, Smith (sub Settle 57 mins), Heald (sub Whitham 70 mins), Dorney, Flitcroft (sub Burns 70 mins), C. Baguley (sub Sephton 57 mins), Stepien, J. Baguley (sub Ince 62 mins).
ROVERS: Brown (sub Fielding 71 mins), Marrow, Olsson (sub Jones 76 mins), Khizanishvili (sub Flynn 71 mins), Gunning, Judge (sub Morrissey 76 mins), Doran (sub Haworth 73 mins), Gallagher (sub Lowe 71 mins), Blackman, Hoilett (sub Santa Cruz 73 mins), van Heerden (sub Marshall 71 mins).
Attendance: 403
