It was an incredible start to the season in Kingston as our Under-21s delivered an impressive attacking display to secure victory.

Leo Castledine had a couple of chances at the beginning of the game which tested the gloves of the Blackburn goalkeeper, and Alex Matos’ cross was diverted onto the crossbar by the Blackburn defence as we dominated proceedings.

Ronnie Stutter gave us the lead with a fine run and finish as he scored his first goal at this level.

The second half followed a similar theme to the first and we quickly extended our lead as Castledine scored a fine free-kick and Stutter grabbed his second of the game. There was time for a fourth before the 90 minutes was up and it came through the unexpected source of Blackburn's Charlie Olsen who scored an own-goal.

Castledine missed a penalty late on and Dom Biniek scored a consolation goal for the young Rovers, but there was still more to come. The goals continued to flow deep into stoppage time as Donnell McNeilly got in on the action to score his first goal in the PL2, before Zak Sturge joined in by smashing the ball into the top corner to make it six.

That was how it would end at Kingsmeadow as Mark Robinson’s team enjoyed three points and an impressive victory to start the Under-21s' league campaign.

Starting fast

Our young Blues kicked off the PL2 campaign on a warm evening at Kingsmeadow with three points in sight. Castledine had the first attempt of the game, as he cut in from the left flank and unleashed a fierce shot which went straight at the goalkeeper. He went close again with a sweeping effort that troubled Jordan Eastham in goal, but he managed to claim it with two hands.

Alfie Gilchrist was on hand to deny Harrison Wood what seemed guaranteed to be a goal with a fantastic block. We should have taken the lead 15 minutes in, as Castledine had a header from a corner cleared off the line and Harrison Murray-Campbell, with the rebound, failed to get a proper connection on the ball from point-blank range.

We were having all the chances and a dangerous cross by Matos was diverted onto the crossbar by the Blackburn defence with Stutter lurking. The resulting corner found the head of Castledine, but he just missed the target.

Taking the lead

After a number of sights of goal for the Blues, we broke the deadlock a couple of minutes before half-time as Stutter used his speed to get away from his marker and smash the ball into the back of the net for our first goal of the season.

The second half started the way the first half ended and that was with us on top of the game. We reaffirmed our dominance with a second goal as Castledine finally found the net with a sublime free-kick.

Just after the hour mark we made it three and it was Stutter who got his second of the game, but it came after fine work from Castledine, who chased what seemed to be a lost cause and laid the ball to the striker to sweep into the net.

Our goalkeeper Eddie Beach was called into the action for the first occasion in the second half, 20 minutes from time, and he saved well from James Edmondson.

Job well done

It was then four goals to our young Blues and it came through Olsen, whose pass was mis-controlled by the goalkeeper and found its way into the back of the net.

Castledine had the chance to score his second of the game as he we were awarded a penalty but he skied from 12 yards. Edmondson then put in a good cross at the other end and that found the head of Biniek as Blackburn grabbed a consolation.

Second-half substitute Donnell McNeilly scored his first goal at this level as he swept home from inside the box to give us our fifth of the game. The boys were enjoying their football and Sturge smashed the ball into the roof of the net as it was now six goals to one.

The game would end 6-1 as our Under-21s start the new campaign with an excellent team performance.

Chelsea (3-4-3): Eddie Beach; Harrison Murray-Campbell (Billy Gee 79), Alfie Gilchrist (c) (Zain Silcott-Duberry 69), Dylan Williams; Brodi Hughes, Kiano Dyer, Alex Matos, Zak Sturge; Ronnie Stutter (Donnell McNeilly 79), Jimi Tauriainen (Diego Moreira 62), Leo Castledine
Unused sub: Max Merrick
Scorers: Stutter 43, 63; Castledine 48; Olsen og 78; McNeilly 90+5; Sturge 90+8
Booked: Castledine 29; Matos 45; Dyer 70
Missed penalty: Castledine 89

Blackburn (4-3-3): Jordan Eastham, Kristi Montgomery, Max Davies, Tom Acheson (Charlie Olsen 67), Pat Gamble (c), Charlie Weston (Jay Haddow 77), James Edmondson, Tom Bloxham, Ethan Walker (Dom Biniek 60), Harley O’Grady-Macken, Harrison Wood (Julian Donnery 60)
Unused sub: Sol Honor
Scorer: Biniek 90+1
Booked: Davies 45+1; Haddow 88