Rovers U18s moved to the top of the Youth Allicance league as they made it five games unbeaten with a comfortable 3-0 victory away at local rivals Scunthorpe United.
It was a steady start to the game as both sides attempted to wrestle their way into the match but strong winds and a heavy pitch made it difficult for both teams.
The first chance came for the home side as Levi Gallimore struck low from within the box but Dec Ogley got down to his post in good time.
Jack Watson tried his luck, but the ball deflected between Scunthorpe defenders on its way through, enabling them to clear before the situation became too dangerous for them.
Tom Pugh had a snap shot on Ogley’s goal, but his effort left the woodwork shaking before the ball went out of play.
Later in the half, Rovers earnt a penalty after Marti Smith Jr was chopped down after going through on goal.
Rieves Boocock took the penalty, finding the bottom left corner and sent Sam Riches in the opposite direction – adding to Boocock’s goal collection for the season.
The Rovers striker then sliced down the right side of the pitch before sending a ball into a dangerous area of the box – Scunthorpe cleared, settling for a corner.
From the corner AJ Greaves floated the ball into the box and Boocock’s valiant effort to rise up to the challenge was not rewarded as the ball went straight into the goalkeeper’s hands.
Rovers won another penalty in the second-half as Will McGowan was fouled while he was about to pull the trigger on goal.
Boocock stepped up again and aimed down the middle, but Riches read his effort accurately this time round and managed to get down.
Riches, however, failed to keep hold of the ball, allowing Watson to feed off the scraps and hit in the rebound in.
Scunthorpe’s best chance of the second-half came from a corner which resulted in one of their forwards hitting the post.
Cameron Baldock-Smith scored his first goal for the U18s as he lifted a headed ball over Riches’ to kill the game off.
One last glimmer of hope for Scunthorpe saw them hit the woodwork, this time the cross bar denied the Iron as Miracel Okafar cut in from the outside of the right, delivering a low ball into the box, Alex Wilkinson struck but his aim was just inched away.
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