Fleetwood Town's Under-18s are back in action on Saturday at Poolfoot Farm as they welcome Premier Football Academy for a pre-season friendly match.
The game is set to take place at Town's training complex (FY5 4HX) for an 11am kick-off, and will be the penultimate pre-season friendly match before the Young Cods start their campaign against Championship side Watford in the new Category Two league programme.
The Under-18s went on tour to Ireland as part of their pre-season preparations, and played two matches over there - despite the results not going the way of the Cods, it was good to test themsevles against older and more physcial opposition.
With victory in their last outing against Sunderland in the North East at the Academy of Light. After being a goal behind, Liam Roberts equalised for the Cods to make it 1-1 at the interval, with a Trialist being on hand to knock the ball home from close range to seal a win for Yeates and his side.
Ahead of this weekend's match, we spoke to head coach Mark Yeates and defender Kayden Hughes to discuss pre-season thus far, as well as talk about the upcoming match and the new season:
Here's what Mark Yeates had to say on the opponents...
"We've done really well in pre-season, we've shared the minutes around the whole group and that's important. This year we've tried different shapes and formations and who gels with who so the lads are aware of what we expect this year.
"They are all chomping at the bits to play and will all play some minutes in the game on Saturday. Those who play will have an opportunity to show the coaches why they should have the jersey for the first match, and also go and make an impression.
"Because they're an Academy setup, they will be coming here to make it difficult. They will want to show that they have good players and will be right up for it.
"From my point of view, I want to see our players more in an attacking way and with it being on home soil it's about us expressing the football I want us to play. I would love to be playing, but it's their time to shine!"
Here's what Kayden Hughes said in his pre-match interview...
"I can't wait for the new season to start. There will be bigger and better teams in the league, it also means longer away trips for us and overnights but we will have a good shot at it.
"We have played Sheffield Wednesday - who are also a Category Two side and gave them a good game. It's about taking the first game as it comes and then going from there.
"This weekend will be another test. We are concentrating on ourselves whether it's defensively or on a more attacking sense. For me and the back line, we will be making sure we are tight and compact and then up the top end we are scoring goals and putting teams to bed."
Watch both interviews in full on our iFollow HERE!
