Big game for youths in search for a play-off place
Our under-18s will be looking to get one over on Leeds United this afternoon at Gawthorpe as we look to push closer to the top teams in our bid to finish in the top two and win a place in the end of season play-offs.
We go into the game five points behind leaders Sheffield Wednesday but a win would see us move above Nottingham Forest and would also ensure we draw level on points with Leeds who are currently second. It’s the game in hand for both teams with this fixture having been postponed a couple of weeks ago.
A 3-1 home defeat against Nottingham Forest on 1st December was the last time we lost a league game. It was a difficult time which had seen us beaten in four of five league games. But it’s been all change since. We won the final league game of 2018 at Hull and have started this year with a draw against Sheffield Wednesday followed by three successive wins.
Leeds ended last year in great style. Having lost against Sheffield United, they beat us 2-1 before winning against Sheffield Wednesday and Crystal Palace. They started this year well with a wins against Crewe and Sheffield United but have since lost at Bolton and drawn against Forest at home.
Coach Tony Philliskirk admitted: “It’s a big game. Leeds are up there near the top and we will be playing a very good team. We’re under no illusions about that. Along with Sheffield Wednesday, it’s probably our biggest test yet and it’s one we’re looking forward to.”
The 2-1 loss at Leeds this season was the same result as we suffered last season in the same fixture with Dan Agyei scoring our goal, but we won the home game against them 1-0 last season with a goal from Dwight McNeil who was making a rare appearance at under-18 level.
Kick off today at Gawthorpe is 1 p.m.
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