Nathan Redmond started for Rovers Under-21s (Image: PA)
Nathan Redmond started for Rovers Under-21s (Image: PA)
Blackburn Rovers Under-21s booked their place in the Premier League Cup semi-final with a 3-1 victory against Reading at the Wham Stadium.
Igor Tyjon bagged a brace either side of half time, with Valentin Joseph also getting on the scoresheet.
Aynsley Pears, Scott Wharton and Sidnei Tavares were all named in the starting line-up as they continue to build up their sharpness following injury lay-offs.
There was also a surprising free agent on the teamsheet in Nathan Redmond, who has been without a club since a short spell at Sheffield Wednesday.
The first chance fell to Wharton, who flashed a corner just wide from Tavares’ corner as Rovers started on the front foot.
Redmond looked bright in the early stages, sending a strike over the bar after cutting in from the left wing.
Joseph had a couple of chances in quick succession. The young forward initially sent a header over from a corner and then fired a low drive just wide as Rovers cranked up the pressure.
The breakthrough came from the penalty spot after Joseph had been tripped just inside the box. He kept his cool to slot home even though Toby Borgnis went the right way, continuing his prolific campaign.
It was nearly two moments later when Osman Kamara did well to get down the right before picking up Joseph, who forced Borgnis into a smart stop from close range.
Reading didn’t have much joy in the final third during the opening 45 minutes. The nearest they came to a chance was when a corner fell to Sam Harrison, who couldn’t squeeze his shot through a sea of bodies.
Redmond made way at the break, with Lorenze Mullarkey-Matthews joining the action.
Rovers picked up where they left off in the second half and Tyjon doubled the lead with a lovely finish from a corner.
Wharton made way on the hour mark after a good workout on his return to the pitch, with Max Davies joining the backline.
Reading went close after a defensive mix-up, which nearly left Pears caught in no man’s land, but he managed to make a good save with his body.
They did manage to pull one back in the latter stages through Phillip Duah’s tidy finish after Rovers had failed to clear a corner, but Gregory Vignal’s side saw out six minutes of stoppage time to reach the last four.