The Development Squad Assistant Manager, Brian Dutton, reflects on an encouraging display during Tuesday's Central League victory over Cheltenham Town.
The young Rovers side looked promising throughout Tuesday's encounter at Lodge Road, causing a Cheltenham Town side that was littered with seasoned EFL players problems, across a competitive ninety minutes.
Speaking after the game, Dutton explained how pleasing the result was and praised the effort from the Development Squad.
"We were made up with that performance," Dutton explains.
"Heading into the game, we knew it would be an acid test against a strong Cheltenham side.
"I remember last season, they beat us 5-1 in the same fixture and that game was a real learning curve for our players.
"Going into Tuesday's game, there's always question marks in your head whether or not the players are going to cope again, they passed the test with flying colours and we as staff are delighted with them."
With a number of Development Squad players first-team action last night against West Ham United in the Checkatrade Trophy, the Development Squad drafted in a number of U18's players into the fold for the Central League fixture.
The players were matched against a number of experienced EFL professionals and excelled according to Dutton.
“We were perhaps more depleted on this occasion facing Cheltenham, than the game last year.
“The physical aspect of the performance is quite a pleasing one, as Cheltenham arrived with quite an experienced side and being able to not only stand up, but to compete with that level of opposition, is very pleasing.”
One of the standout performances of the afternoon perhaps belonged to Deon Moore.
A new face this season for the Development side, the towering striker led the line superbly and was a handful for the Cheltenham defence.
“Deon took his opportunity, as far as I can see it,” added Dutton.
“He's arrived in the summer, so he's not been with us for a great deal of time.”
“Unfortunately, we haven't been able to get him up to speed until now and he's gone up against two very experienced EFL defenders and in my opinion, he's run them ragged.
“He caught the eye of the supporters who attended and the important people that were watching him from the side lines.”
While Moore gained plaudits for his display, goal scorer Cameron Allen also caught the eye.
The striker found the net with an instinctive finish in the second half, as Dutton believes he’s a promising potential going forward.
“Cameron did exactly what we asked of him,” outlined the Development Squad Assistant Manager.
“He's been given an opportunity and we asked him to go out and hold the ball up, just to try and bring others around him into play and he's done that superbly.
“The goal scoring aspect of his game will always come if he is able to keep the other side of his game in check and is an outlet for us going forward.
“People would have seen his finishing ability with the way he took his goal and hopefully we can see him kick-on from here.”
The Development Squad will look to continue their good run of form next week, continuing their Central League fixtures against Luton Town U23's.