Rovers U18s manager Chad Gribble was delighted with his sides technical ability on display in the 5-1 win over Hartlepool United.
An early goal from Ethan Harrison and braces from Will Green and Jack Goodman put Rovers in control of the tie before a penalty from Euan McBride at the end gave the Pools a consolation.
Gribble said: “It’s fantastic to get such a positive result and we’d have loved a clean sheet but it wasn’t to be today for that but it’s three points and five goals.
“We had a really fast start and a fairly dominant performance but I’d have liked us to have had a little bit more control once the game had settled because I think we got a bit carried away which can happen when you get early goals in quick succession, so there are still lessons to be learnt there.
“It was good but we can be better. It’s a nice feeling for the players to see the hard work from pre-season has come off and to get five goals from the performance and a positive three points.”
Gribble made a number of changes in the second half, one of which being Max Adamson who got an assist almost immediately and the youth team manager was pleased to have options on the bench.
Gribble added: “It’s been great to look over your shoulder today and know that you could make changes and that they’d all be able to make an impact on the game no matter what the score line was.
“Max Adamson has had a fantastic week in training and was probably unfortunate not to start the game. It was through no fault of his own but more to the fact that the two that started in there probably deserved their place with how well they’ve been playing in pre-season.
“His impact was amazing, playing with energy, power and pace and he got the assist off the back of that.”
Of the five goals Rovers scored, two came through spectacular efforts from Will Green and Gribble was happy to see his players take on such efforts.
Gibble added: “It’s nice to score special goals and I think that the fact the players have the technique to be able to finish like that is great.
“They don’t always come like that but today the opportunity presented itself and they were able to execute their moments.
“It’s one thing understanding the game and being able to play to a plan but if these players are going to be successful, they need to be able to execute and they showed that today.
“We’re not getting carried away, it’s very early in the season and in the players’ Academy careers but it is pleasing to score nice goals like that and I’m sure whoever has been watching today will have enjoyed the performance.”