ALL four of Rovers' new signings were given their first run out in the blue and white halves as Tony Mowbray's men got pre-season off to a winning start.
Rich Sharpe assesses how they got on.

RICHIE SMALLWOOD
WAS at times almost like a first receiver, looking to get the ball off goalkeeper Jason Steele where possible and start moves off for Rovers from a deep-lying role

He was instrumental in Rovers’ two best moves of the first-half, linking up well with Ben Gladwin and Joe Rankin-Costello for Craig Conway’s goal just before the break, and then with Peter Whittingham as Conway went close again.

Lancashire Telegraph:

Wasn’t afraid to put his foot in, despite it being pre-season, with the first crunching tackle coming with just three minutes on the watch.

He won his fair share of second balls, and also looked to press high up the pitch as he looked to win the ball back for his side.
An accomplished start.

PETER WHITTINGHAM

STARTED alongside Smallwood in the Rovers engine room but struggled to see much of the ball in the early stages.

However, what did catch the eye was a run of six excellent deliveries in to the Barrow box during a succession of Rovers corners inside the opening 15 minutes. It seemed a matter of time before they would lead to a goal, before the corner count eventually dried up.

Didn’t look to break forward from his central berth as much as may have been expected, but certainly looked to be playing within himself as he eased in to the game.

Lancashire Telegraph:

His left foot, infront of that of Scott Wharton as well, gave Rovers a real balanced look in the opening half.

BEN GLADWIN

WITH no recognised striker in the first-half team, Gladwin began the game as Rovers’ most advanced player.

That changed throughout the opening 45 minutes as the attacking players interchanged, but he certainly showed a determination to get in to the box and get shots away.

An early strike from distance was blocked, and he may think he should have done better with an effort from the edge of the box on his left foot which he dragged wide in the opening quarter.

Lancashire Telegraph:

Looked a little clumsy in possession at times in an unfamiliar role, but did show a couple of neat touches, not least in the build-up to Conway’s goal.

And would have had one himself had it not been for an excellent covering tackle late in the first half.

BRADLEY DACK

THE 418 travelling fans had to wait until the second half to get their first glimpse of the £750,000 signing in action. 

An early nutmeg showed his quality, but thereafter, he struggled to find much space in what was a tight middle area of the pitch.

He didn’t benefit from Rovers having the same control of the game as they had in the first half, but that didn’t stop him being busy around the pitch, or put himself in to some rough contact.

Lancashire Telegraph:

Such was his quest to get on the ball, late in the second half he could be seen dropping in between the two centre halves to try and dictate the play.

A few times he tried to link up with Danny Graham to no effect, but when it mattered most, the big striker profited from Dack’s industry to get in behind as he lashed home the winner with the last kick of the match.