Dan Lowther scored both goals as the SSFC Academy continued their excellent start to the season with a 2-0 win at Maltby Main on Wednesday.

Lowther struck twice before half-time as the midfielder made it four goals in two games – and extended the young Mariners’ 100% start to the campaign.

This was their first away trip in the National League Under-19 Alliance as they took on Maltby Main at their Sheffield Hallam University base.

Shields had to overcome a testing playing surface to emerge with the points, and follow up their 9-0 opening day victory over Rochdale, and 10-0 FA Youth Cup win against Chester-le-Street Town.

From the start, though, they demonstrated that they were the stronger team, creating a number of chances from the first whistle.

The deadlock was broken after half an hour as Lowther beat the goalkeeper with a controlled lob.

Five minutes before half-time, a well-worked set-piece routine led to Shields’ second. The ball was pulled back from a corner to Lowther on the edge of the box, and he struck it into the corner of the net.

Lowther also scored twice in the win over Rochdale a fortnight ago, but the 19-year-old was ineligible in the FA Youth Cup due to age limits.

Shields continued to create plenty of chances in the second half, but the surface played a part in a number of moves breaking down at the critical moment.

It was still a comfortable win, though, and joint manager Lee Picton praised the players afterwards.

He said: “We’re pleased with the result, as well as the attitude and performance.

“The players really had to adapt and adapt quickly.

“They showed a completely different side to their game on a surface which is about as different to what we’re used to at Mariners Park as you could get.

“It was a really good experience for their development, because they’re not going to play on a perfect surface every week and will have to deal with challenges like this.”

SSFC ACADEMY: Dan Lister, Matty Parker, Oliver Scott, Dan Lowther, Jordan Patterson, Ryan Colquhoun, Will McCamley, Ethan Biwer, Joe Hassanin, Callum Guy, Bailey Judson. Subs: Thomas Kavanagh, Luke Ridley, Daniel McGuire, Michael Colquhoun.

Goals: Lowther (x2).