COLCHESTER YOUTH 0 ROVERS YOUTH 4
ROVERS set up a mouthwatering FA Youth Cup fifth round clash with Bolton at Ewood after two-goal hero Neil Danns shot down United at Layer Road last night.
Rob Kelly's young guns threw away a 2-0 lead in the original tie at Ewood last week.
But they made no mistake this time around as their extra class finally shone through against plucky United.
Midfielder Ciaran Donnelly was forced out of the action in the opening quarter of an hour after suffering a gash to the head. But that failed to knock confident Rovers out of their stride and they were rewarded for a bright start with a goal on 30 minutes.
Jerome Watt released Liam Blakeman but he was chopped down as he burst into the box and up stepped Danns to smash home the spotkick.
The visitors then had chances to increase their advantage as Blakeman was denied by the keeper and the lively Alan Morgan shot wide.
After the break, United enjoyed their best spell of the night as Tristan Chambers forced a sharp save out of Ryan Robinson.
But it was Rovers who struck again on 65 minutes when Michael Cole whipped over a delightful cross from the right for Danns to powerfully head home.
And, within a minute, it was 3-0 as Jon Walters robbed a defender straight from the kick off before taking aim and picking his spot.
Morgan, Blakeman and Mark Burns all went close to adding to the tally before Watt wrapped things up with a fourth five minutes from time, much to the delight of Kelly.
"It was a mature performance from the lads," said the Rovers' coach.
"It wasn't easy coming down here but it was a great performance and a great result." GREAT SHOW: Rob Kelly
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