Paul Stancliffe’s U18s side returned to winning ways in style, with a five-star performance as they cruised past Lincoln City U18s.
An early change was required before a ball had been kicked as captain Cameron Foulkes was forced out due to injury in the warm-up and Cody Prior came in to replace the 17-year-old.
Rovers produced a high-pressure start, pushing the young Imps far back into their own half and keeping keeper Michael Antkowiak on his toes from the beginning.
Lincoln did eventually break with an abundance of pace down the right and a ball was delivered low and fast across the 18-yard-box, but Charlie Hart did not time his run accurately and struggled to get on the end of what seemed to be a lethal ball in.
Rovers continued to shine, however, with James Morris making a pass that cut through the Lincoln defence, releasing Rieves Boocock on goal who shot to the bottom right corner, but Antkowiak was equal to his effort.
The deadlock was broken at the 20-minute mark as Lirak Hasani played a perfected and precise pass through to James Morris who stayed calm and composed to slot past the Lincoln keeper.
The visitors drew level through a set-piece after a great cross met the head of the towering James Hugo who nodded past Louis Jones to bring things level.
Just as it looked like it was going to be 1-1 at the break, up stepped Boocock who delivered a floating ball into the box which was met by Lewis Scattergood on the volley.
It did not take too long for Rovers to extend their lead in the second-half as Boocock’s strike from within the box bulged into the back of the net.
Stancliffe’s men went into cruise control from here, substitute Jacob Fletcher had a free-kick from 25-yards which he took low and it bounced off the left-hand-side post and into Antkowiak’s goal.
Lincoln almost came back into the game through another set-piece as an Imps attacker had a shot which came back off a post.
Proceedings were wrapped up when Myron Gibbons entered the field of play to net Rovers’ fifth goal of the afternoon as he wrestled off two defenders to break free on goal and slide the ball past Antkowiak.
Rovers could have made it six as Morris found the back of the net, only for it to be judged narrowly offside.