Professional development phase coach Frank Sinclair was pleased with how his side coped with the physical challenges of their visit to men’s side Ashby Ivanhoe.
Rovers U18s led twice through Will Green and Jaiden Campbell-Ryce but were ultimately undone in the second half by the host’s experienced side.
Despite the 4-2 loss in Leicestershire, the youth team manager felt the game gave his side a brilliant chance to prepare for the start of the upcoming EFL Youth Alliance League season.
Sinclair said: “The result doesn’t really bother me because it was more about the exercise and an opportunity to get some minutes into some legs.
“The players got the exposure to the physical side of the game and the opposition were excellent for what we wanted to get out of the visit.
“I was pleased with how we moved the ball up to half-time but we made a lot of changes at the break and it was always going to be difficult to get that fluency back from then.
“Playing into the wind made it difficult for us to come out and we had to defend a lot more in the second period but it gave all the players some great exposure.”
Although the entire squad put up a valiant effort against a strong Ivanhoe side, Sinclair was particularly impressed by his side’s two goal scorers.
He added: “The goals were good, we know what Will Green is capable of from outside the box and he’s a technician from dead ball situations so I always fancied him on that left foot.
“He picked his spot and executed it brilliantly and Jaiden Campbell-Ryce also had a fantastic game.
“He was a real thorn in the side of the opposition, really creative and I was really pleased for him to get a goal in his first game because that will only build up his confidence.”