Three first-half goals from the Youth Team sealed victory in their second EFL Youth Alliance Cup match.

Two from Fabio Tavares and one from Neil Kuemo in a clinical opening period saw them defeat Scunthorpe United 3-0.

Tavares opened the scoring 16 minutes into the game, when he latched onto a ball over the top. With the goalkeeper advancing, he kept his composure to lift the ball over the stopper and into the back of the net.

Brad Wade ensured Dale kept hold of their advantage two minutes later, when he got down to his right to palm away an effort from just inside the area.

Isaac Ward met Aaron Morley’s corner, but his header was straight at the Iron goalkeeper.

The lead was doubled eight minutes before the break, after a fine team move. Luke Matheson won the ball back in his own half and broke forward, finding Dan Adshead.

His nice weighted through ball found Tavares, whose driven cross was turned home by Kuemo at the back post.

Kuemo was inches away from a third on the stroke of half time, seeing his dipping effort clip the top of the crossbar.

However, Dale would add a third before the break, as Tavares grabbed his second.

The striker fed Adshead just inside the area, and the midfielder returned the compliment, for Tavares to slot home clinically.

The second half proved to be more of an even one, and without the number of chances from the opening 45 minutes.

Wade got a strong hand to a shot from outside the area to turn the ball around the post, before Adshead produced a similar stop from the Scunthorpe goalkeeper.

The Dale goalkeeper made sure of his clean sheet with a good double stop inside the final ten minutes. He made a great stop with his body from a one-on-one, before holding on to a second effort from the rebound.

The means Dale have lost one and won one from their opening two group games, with matches to come against Doncaster Rovers and Bury.