BLACKBURN ROVERS’ Under 18’s extended their unbeaten start to the Academy season to four matches with a 4-1 win over Sheffield Wednesday.

Starting their campaign with draws against Coventry and Crystal Palace, Gary Bowyer’s starlets have followed up with wins against Leeds and now Wednesday.

England youth striker Tom Hitchcock grabbed his second goal of the season, while Michael Hall, Johnny Flynn and Josh Morris were also on target.

Rovers started brightly, with Hitchcock almost giving them an early lead at Brockhall after being set up by strike partner Michael Potts.

Hitchcock did open the scoring on 17 minutes though when Jordan Bowen and Callum O’Connor combined on the flank, for the England Under 17 international to sweep home the latter’s cross at the near post.

Potts then saw a strike pushed wide by the Wednesday stopper, before the visitors equalised against the run of play.

Hesitant home defending from a throw-in saw the Owls take full advantage, with the resulting cross striking Flynn and looping over Bjorn Bussman for a simple header at the far post on 23 minutes.

They were only level for six minutes though after Hall was tripped in the penalty area. Hitchcock’s spot-kick was saved but an alert Hall fired in the rebound.

Kris Paterson was then forced to head off the line before Rovers gained the upper hand after the break.

Flynn’s 53rd-minute downward header from Potts’ free-kick gave the hosts the crucial two-goal cushion, with Potts himself firing just wide minutes later.

The win was sealed on 86 minutes as Morris finished off a flowing move. Skipper Hall played a one-two with the young winger, who was then on hand to lash the return ball into the roof of the net.

Substitute Jack Brierley almost added a fifth late on but his header went narrowly over the bar.