Young Terriers turn their focus to results for this season’s Youth Alliance Cup
- An Under-18 Town side will compete in the Youth Alliance Cup
- Town’s Under-17 and Under-19 group will combine for the competition
- Jon Worthington previewed the Accrington Stanley game
The Young Terriers will turn their focus to performance this weekend for their first game in the Youth Alliance Cup.
Similarly to last season, the Academy will use the cup games as performance, result-based matches so that the youngsters have to deal with different circumstances.
The cup competition begins this weekend (Saturday 24 August 2019) as the Young Terriers will take on Accrington Stanley at PPG Canalside.
To add that extra competitive edge, Town’s side will be an Under-18 side made up of players from both the Under-19 and Under-17 age groups.
“I think it’s important to win cup games,” said Under-17 Coach Jon Worthington.
“In a lot of the U17 games the emphasis is on development and improving as a team as well as individual development.
“But on certain occasions such as the Youth Alliance Cup, it’s good to combine the groups and look at it as more of a performance model and try to win the game.”
As footballers there’s always that desire to win, however, the main aim of the Under-17 side is development and to enhance that they work on specific elements of the Club’s identity during games.
‘Worthy’ explained the difference between the focuses in games.
“I think any game we go into, there’s a mentality that you go into it with - to win games.
“However, there is a difference when the U17s are playing because the majority of their games are against U18s, so there’s different physical challenges for them in their development, so this game will allow the teams to be on a similar playing field.
“For these games you can really focus on the performance side of things and make sure you prepare for the game.”
Town’s Under-17 Coach also explained how mixing the group could have a positive effect on the younger players.
“I think it’s good for the U18s to be role models, they can definitely take in some leadership and communication skills.
“It’s good for them to help and guide the U17s and hopefully lead by example and help the U17s along with them.”
