ROVERS Under-23s beat Norwich City Under-23s 2-1 to go top of the Premier League 2 Division 2 table in an entertaining encounter at the County Ground in Leyland, writes Sam Jones.

Tyler Magloire scored his first goal of the season early on to extend Damien Johnson’s side unbeaten league record to nine games and Rovers were in full control by the time Lewis Mansell doubled the advantage on 37 minutes. Louis McIntosh’s superb free-kick proved to be a consolation for the visitors.

The game’s first real opportunity fell the way of Rovers after seven minutes as Willem Tomlinson exchanged a quick one two with Joe Rankin-Costello on the edge of the area, before his shot was well saved by Aston Oxborough. Rankin Costello almost assisted again soon after when he won possession in the Norwich half and fed Lewis Mansell, whose effort was deflected over the bar.

Rovers’ nine game run started with a hard fought 1-1 draw away to Norwich in September. But Damien Johnson’s side were keen to take all three points in this encounter. And their relentless early pressure told 10 minutes in when Joe Grayson’s free-kick from the right was flicked in at the back post by centre-back Magloire.

Rovers came into this game off the back of a 3-3 draw away at Middlesbrough, and looked in the mood for goals once again. Mansell robbed ‘keeper Oxborough on the edge of the area, but Rankin-Costello could not get on the end of the striker’s centre, for what would have been a tap in. 

The Canaries were also in good form, having won three of their last four games, staying unbeaten during that period. However, it took the visitors 18 minutes to fashion their first chance. Tristan Abrahams cut inside from the right and fired a left-footed strike that was well held by Rovers stopper Andrew Fisher.

Norwich should have levelled mid-way through the half, but both of Savvas Mourgos’ efforts were denied, first thanks to an excellent diving stop from Fisher and then by a last-ditch sliding block from Grayson. They continued a good spell when Joe Crowe got on the end of Mourgos’ corner, but the impressive Fisher was on hand to deny him.

Rovers reasserted their dominance on proceedings when Grayson’s perfectly timed through ball found Mansell, who used his pace to beat his man and fire a swerving shot that Oxborough was forced to parry behind. The pair almost combined from the resulting corner, only to see Mansell’s header land narrowly wide of the post.

Grayson found the striker once again for the second goal as Mansell headed in a pinpoint corner to put Rovers two goals ahead and hand the defender a brace of assists.

The Canaries were close to halving the deficit a minute later when Pierre Xavier Fonkeu’s clever flicked effort was heading goalwards, until Fisher managed to divert the ball clear. 

Straight down the other end, Mansell could have added to his tally from a Connor Thomson delivery, but saw his diving header flash narrowly wide. Rovers played some lovely free-flowing football in the first half and once again it was Mansell who tried to finish things off, but this time his shot sliced well wide.

There was still time for Glenn Middleton to evade a couple of challenges before unleashing a powerful drive that Fisher was happy to see travel past his goal, in what was the last action of the first period.

Magloire went in search of a brace after the break but his superb solo run was ended when Oxborough got down low to smother the ball before the Rovers centre half could get a shot away. Rankin-Costello then tried to chip the Norwich ‘keeper from inside the box after Mansell squared to Hardcastle, but his lobbed effort went just wide.

At the other end, Middleton’s fierce drive was thwarted by a fine stop from Fisher, before Mourgos tested Fisher again but the Rovers ‘keeper was equal to it.

Norwich were handed a lifeline courtesy of Louis McIntosh’s superb goal. The midfielder saw Fisher off his line and fired in a free-kick from the half way line to put the away side right back in the game with 20 minutes remaining.

Mansell should have made it more comfortable for Rovers late on when he evaded a late challenge and raced clean through on goal, but he could not find a way past Oxborough.

Both sides ended the game with 10 men as Willem Tomlinson and Joe Crowe were shown second yellow cards for pushing, after a free-kick had already been awarded to Norwich, but Rovers saw the game out. 

Next up for Johnson’s in-form side is a trip to Motspur Park to face Fulham on Friday, (7pm).

Rovers: Fisher, C. Doyle, Evans, Tomlinson, Magloire, Grayson, Thomson, Hardcastle (c), Mansell, Rankin-Costello, Butterworth.

Unused subs: Thompson, Dillon, Buckley, Paton, Vale.