Rowlands hits four as Melton Foxes U18s rout Loughborough

Due to injuries, suspensions and unavailability Foxes were down to a skeleton squad with Aaron Doherty making his first start and the injured Bradley Carroll standing in as a sub.

Within seconds of kick-off Adam Lomas broke on the right to cross to the far post where Tom Dryell’s header was just off target.

And with just two minutes on the clock Melton were ahead when Lomas played the ball down the line for Cameron Ainge to outstrip his full-back and cut into the area before firing past the keeper.

Five minutes later skipper Alex Walker played a long through ball for Rowlands who headed the ball between two defenders before running through, rounding the keeper and calmly slotting in.

The Foxes notched a third just a minute later when Frazer Lewis’ free-kick gave Ainge an opening. His effort was blocked but Lomas smashed in the rebound from 10 yards.

Foxes gifted the hosts a goal when Horobin messed up a clearance, leaving the home left winger to run through and toe poke past Chris Lovegrove.

Rowlands became the provider when he crossed for Dryell to outjump the keeper and head home from close range and make it 4-1 after just 20 minutes.

Rowlands drew a smart save before Horobin headed over from a corner and Jake Dawkins did likewise from two yards.

Dryell’s superb piece of trickery at the start of the second half set up Walker whose effort was blocked before Lomas set up Rowlands who jinked across the box and thundered in a fierce shot for 5-1.

Lomas sent in another good corner for Horobin to rise and head home at the far post before Rowlands completed his treble in the 70th minute with another fierce shot from the edge of the area.

Dynamo hit back immediately when a quick break down the right saw a low cross forced home from close range.

But Rowlands had the last word with five minutes left, smashing in from close range after Horobin teed him up.

Foxes: C. Lovegrove, F. Lewis, A. Horobin, J. Dawkins, A. Doherty, A. Lomas, A. Walker, R. Gavin, T. Dryell, C. Ainge, M. Rowlands, B. Carroll.