Rovers secure slender advantage

It's advantage Rovers after the first leg of the FA Youth Cup semi final last night at Ewood Park.

It took a headed Raheem Hanley goal in the first half to separate the sides in a lively game that saw both the Rovers and Burnley take the effort levels past the norm.

It was a real derby game with a proper derby day atmosphere with over 10,000 in attendance creating a noise that twice that amount would struggle to produce on a normal day.

Rovers even had to survive the last 15 minutes with a man disadvantage after Jack O'Connell picked up his second booking.

But Burnley rarely troubled the Rovers defence with our boys the more technically superior side, even if they would be first to admit they have turned in better all round performances before.

It was nice to see a little glimpse into the future - players like Hugo Fernandez, Raheem Hanley, Osayamen Osawe, Adam Henley and Ryan Edwards look like real prospects which bodes well for a club that has a strong academy set up.

A 1-0 lead will mean it is all to play for when the lads hit Turf Moor next week, but if the second leg is even half as good as the first then everyone will leave a happy punter.

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