Rovers U18s kicked 2022 off with a win against Mansfield Town.
Both sides have met twice already this season, with Rovers coming unstuck against them on both occasions and losing 6-0 on aggregate.
But Tony Cook’s side did not let that fact weigh them down heading to RH Academy on January Saturday 22.
Mansfield started the better of the two sides, but the hosts were sloppy in possession and failed to create any major chances to test Luke Chadwick and his defence.
After 35 minutes had passed, Rovers perked up and eventually took the lead. Will Hollings’ free-kick hit Avery’s post and Jack Goodman was on-hand to head in the rebound from close-range.
For the second-half, Rovers were the better side and was unfortunate not to have doubled their lead with Bobby Faulkner missing a header from two yards out.
Faulkner was eligible to play in the game with his on-loan club Frickely Athletic without a fixture for the weekend.
Rovers U18s will now head into their next game at home to Scunthorpe United on January Saturday 29 beaming with confidence.