ADAM Lakeland has replaced Andy McNally as the manager of Blackburn Rovers Ladies.

The 22-year-old, who has coached ladies' football at Rovers for nearly four years, has Kieran Bentley as his assistant.

Adam, of Hurst Green, spent five years working with the club's community department, before starting up his own sports coaching company.

He coached the ladies reserves for one season and has worked under former manager Andy McNally for three years.

Kieran, 26, has been working as a part-time community coach for the past two years and with the ladies team for approximately 15 months.

Formerly the team's goalkeeping coach, he and Adam are already relishing the added responsibility.

Adam said: "I'm really happy to be offered the job as manager - it's a really good opportunity for me to show what I can do.

"During the change-around the players pestered me to stay temporarily and the club then invited me to stay full-time.

"Already knowing the players has really helped me settle in. I have changed some personnel, brought in some younger players and so far everything's going well."

With four wins and a draw from their opening 11 games of top-flight football, Rovers find themselves in eighth place in the Premier League National Division and with some clear breathing space from the bottom three.

"Our aim is to stay up and I'm confident we can do that," Adam added.

Rovers Ladies kick-off 2007 with an FA Cup, fourth round tie at home to Wimbledon this Sunday. Kick-off at Clitheroe's Shawbridge stadium is at 1pm.