Blackburn Rovers secured their passage into round two of the Carabao Cup with a comprehensive 6-1 win over Stockport County.

John Eustace made light work of their League One opponents, with four goals in the opening 31 minutes. Stockport's young side couldn't deal with the quality on show and the gulf in class was very evident.

Sam Szmodics took eight minutes to mark his return to the starting XI with the opening goal, twisting and turning in the box to fire into the top corner. It was good work from Arnor Sigurdsson to pick him out and he made no mistake from just inside the box.

The second followed shortly after with Andi Weimann racing clear and poking through the legs of the goalkeeper from two. At that point, fans were already scouting for details of the next round.

A third and fourth followed in very quick succession. Szmodics doubled his haul for the night with a near post strike before Yuki Ohashi flicked in John Buckley's delivery after a short corner.

There was one slight downer on a wholly positive evening for Rovers. They conceded another set-piece goal which Nathan Mapengu headed in to cheers from the home crowd.

But just a few minutes later, the four-goal cushion was restored from a ser-piece of Rovers' own making. Makhtar Gueye got off the mark after arriving from the bench to head into the net.

There was just enough time for Jack Vale to then spank the ball into the roof of the net from the back post after a wicked delivery, rounding off a brilliant night for Rovers.

Eustace hinted that he would make changes at Edgeley Park but showed plenty of respect with a strong line-up. Amongst the six changes from Derby County were full debuts for Danny Batth, Andi Weimann and Yuki Ohashi, with Kyle McFadzean also on the bench.

The headline news was Szmodics in the starting XI, though. With intense speculation still surrounding his future - with online speculation even suggesting he was in Suffolk for a medical on Tuesday - this was another positive sign.

Whilst we're all too long in the tooth to ever assume anything whilst the transfer window is open, it's clear that Szmodics is being reintegrated back into the fold. Whilst he remains a Rovers player, they will be utilising their star man as much as possible.

In truth, it was pretty obvious from the outset that this may be 'men against boys'. Looking at the age of some Stockport players, that was quite literal.

Hatters boss Dave Challinor had admitted in the build-up that it might be a 'difficult night' for his side and that came to fruition. Ohashi was denied early on by a sprawling save from Ben Hinchcliffe which was a sign of what was to come.

It took only eight minutes for the deadlock to be broken. Sigurdsson latched on to a loose ball and fed Szmodics, who wriggled in the box and found enough room to fire into the top corner.

That opener was soon followed by a second. Weimann picked up a failed interception after a ball through from midfield and showed great composure to finish through the legs of the goalkeeper.

Two quickly became three as Szmodics netted his second. He took his tally to three for the season as he smashed the ball in at the near post after good work from Harry Pickering.

There could be no question of his commitment to the cause. From minute one, he looked his usual switched-on self. He pressed, he chased and he harassed; I don't think he knows any other way.

The early goals can only add further negotiating power to Rovers and perhaps add a little bit more to that price tag. Just 30 more to go to hit last year's tally, no pressure.

By the time I'd typed out that the third had gone in, Ohashi then got in on the act, netting his second goal for the club. A short corner was delivered by Buckley and the Japanese forward met it with a superb flicked header, nestling in the corner.

The second half saw Leo Duru make his senior debut whilst McFadzean got a useful 45 minutes. However, there was a blotch on the copybook as Mapengu headed in from a corner, which will frustrate Eustace.

But it mattered little and they added more gloss to the scoreline shortly after. Gueye rose highest from their own corner and he headed into the net for his first goal in Rovers colours.

Vale then fired into the roof of the net after a dangerous ball to the back post found him in space. It was a tight angle but confident finish from the forward

A productive night for Rovers with valuable match minutes in the legs of those who needed them. Five goals, all spread around which made it not far from the perfect night.

Rovers will discover their opponents for round two on Wednesday night, with the draw set to be made after the conclusion of Leeds vs Middlesbrough. The ties will be played on the week commencing August 26.