Under-23s return to form at Rovers

Our Under-23s showed strength in adversity to beat Blackburn Rovers in the Premier League 2 on Friday night.

The team recovered from last weekend's 6-0 loss at Everton to deservedly take maximum points at Lancashire FA's County Ground.

They were asked big questions along the way. Captain Luke Amos was forced off injured with the score at 1-0 on 22 minutes and then Shayon Harrison, who had by then scored twice to make it 2-0, hobbled out of the action on 35 minutes.

So a key midfielder was off, the two-goal striker was off and then Rovers sparked into life with their best spell, reducing the lead to 2-1, missing a golden chance for 2-2 and forcing Tom Glover into a reflex save.

The best way to respond? A third goal, of course! Paris Maghoma stepped up to restore our two-goal advantage just before half-time.

Coach Wayne Burnett reshuffled with Maghoma moved central in place of Amos and Jack Roles pushed further forward following Harrison's departure. Maghoma impressed throughout and Roles proved a thorn in Rovers' side, providing two assists.

A fast start was certainly the ideal scenario and delivered within five minutes on a counter-attack. Oliver Skipp won possession centrally and sent Tashan Oakley-Boothe away down the right. His cross was perfect for Harrison sliding in at the far post.

Skipp missed another good chance, then Amos departed, but it was soon 2-0 as Roles robbed Hayden Carter and squared for Harrison to rifle home. However, Harrison soon joined Amos back in the dressing room, hobbling off on 35 minutes.

Rovers responded with a fine goal from Dan Butterworth on 41 minutes and within 60 seconds, Brad Lyons angled a one-on-one wide and Stefan Mols tested Glover down to his right.

Our third goal arrived just in time, halting Rovers in their stride. Roles played in Maghoma, who skipped past Andy Fisher and rolled home for 3-1.

The result didn't look in doubt as we contained the home side after the break. There were few chances and a save each for Glover and Fisher, while Roles was a fraction away from capping his night with a 20-yarder that flew inches wide.

Key moment

Harrison's early goal was a boost but it has to be Maghoma's fine finish to restore the team's two-goal advantage just before half-time. Having lost skipper Amos and two-goal Harrison it was a timely way to stop the home side's recovery in its tracks.

"We perhaps should have scored for 3-0 before they made it 2-1 but it wasn't to be and sometimes you need that two-goal cushion and we managed to get it," said Under-23s Coach Wayne Burnett. "I thought we showed maturity in our play and with a two-goal cushion, we managed the game very well."

Coach's view

Wayne added: "We had a difficult game at Everton last week, didn't play particularly well and had some reflection this week. We spoke openly and honestly and there were things said that needed to be said. I thought we responded really well. I'm pleased we've won for the players and for the staff.

"I thought at times we gave the ball away too easily and took too many touches but the players are young and they are learning. Overall though, it was a win that was certainly deserved.

"We managed the game very well. We limited them to chances and shots at our goal. We said at half-time that we had a two-goal lead and it at least had to stay that way - that was the minimum requirement, and they did that."

Match data

Goals: Spurs - Harrison 4, 29, Maghoma 45; Blackburn - Butterworth 42.

Referee: Simon Mather.

Venue: Lancashire FA County Ground, Leyland.

Weather: Chilly once the sun went in, 10 degrees.