Youth team coach speaks to Club website
Youth team coach Mark Bowley has spoken of his admiration for the Fleetwood Youth team despite their 2-0 loss to Oldham Athletic.The youngsters fielded a number of schoolboys, having released a number of second year scholars, as they look to blood a new set of players ahead of the new season.
Even though the Cod Army lost, Bowley believes the experience of playing against more experienced youth sides will serve Fleetwood well.
“First half was a bit disappointing really. The lads, five or six schoolboys playing for us, took a little bit of time to get into the game.
“Second half very, very pleased with the guys. It ended up 2-0. The score doesn’t matter, the develop of the players is what does.
“This will put them in good stead for next season, we are playing teams that do still have their second years. We released some of our second years.
“This time of year it is difficult for the lads to progress but I’m very pleased and excited for next year, to see the progression of these young lads coming through.”
He added: “We’re putting them into the deep end, making them see what the youth team football is all about. It is a massive step up for some of these guys, fair play to them.
“Young Owen Bridge is only 15 years old, he’s got another two years until he comes into the youth team as a scholar if he’s lucky and did really, really well.
“We never really got going and they’re a very good side Oldham, very strong but in the second half we kept to our system.
“We played well, the lads moved the ball well and had we taken our chance who knows. We’re pleased with the result.”
He finished looking ahead to the weekend’s game with away against Tranmere Rovers where the side will look to bounce back.
“We have Tranmere away on Saturday, another tough one but we go away again in good spirits so again we’ll have some good young lads playing for us, schoolboys maybe four, five.
“Maybe even six or seven we just don’t know as we are carrying a few injuries as well and hopefully they’ll do well for the Club.”