WELLENS MAKES BREWERS DROOP
The last time Rovers played a competitive away match against Burton Albion, the game was played at the old Eton Park ground, now a housing estate, and Mitchell Lund was a six-year-old boy growing up in Leeds. Tonight young Lund made an assured senior debut for Rovers as they progressed in the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy with a 3-0 victory over their hosts at the Pirelli Stadium. However, it was one of Rovers’ veterans who stood out, Richie Wellens giving a dominant display in midfield.
After a quiet opening, Rovers began to take charge and went ahead after 33 minutes. Good build-up down the right ended when James Coppinger pulled back a cross which struck a defender and fell for Harry Forrester to shoot home emphatically. They doubled their advantage on 42 minutes when Mousinho felled Nathan Tyson in the area and the striker got up to slot home the penalty. Burton made changes at the break and around the hour mark they enjoyed a brief spell of dominance. Blyth headed over the bar when well placed and then sprang the offside trap only to drill a low shot wide.
Stung by this, Rovers began to pick up the pace again and with Wellens pulling the strings Forrester forced a smart save from Lyness. With three minutes left Wellens got the goal his evening’s work merited. Substitute Theo Robinson won the ball and fed the rampaging midfielder who clipped the ball over Lyness to complete the scoring.
by John Coyle
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