Rovers U18s got 2020 off to a winning start with an emphatic 6-2 victory away at Huddersfield Town on Saturday.
Despite trailing 1-0 at the break, Rovers had been the better of the two sides but had been unable to convert any of their numerous chances. The opposite was true for the young Terriers who took advantage of a short pass out from the Rovers’ defence and took the lead on the half-hour mark with their first chance of the match.
They carried that lead into the break, but the second half was a completely new scenario.
The goal that had eluded Rovers in the first half came within minutes of the restart. Junior Smith was quickest to react to a rebound and finished well. Smith doubled the lead with almost the next attack – heading in at the near post from a corner to complete a quick turnaround.
Rovers were filled with confidence and began to play the ball around in the style of their first team counterparts.
Smith could have had a hat-trick going close twice before Will McGowan stretched the lead finishing off an impressive team passing move. Smith made it four completing his hat-trick with around 20 minutes of the match remaining.
It was then time for Jack Watson who was conspicuous by his absence from the scoresheet so far to join the fun bagging the fifth.
Huddersfield got one back late on but even that was cancelled out by a second for Watson in injury time.
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