The September Academy Report by Ian Watts
Academy in SEPTEMBER
We mentioned around the middle of the month that the Academy season was kicking off. For the senior Academy side it was a tough start for their first time at National League North level with an away trip to York City, who topped last year's table when things came to a halt having recorded 40 points from 15 games. Whilst some of their players may have moved on, it is in the nature of this level of football that those coming through were likely to have been schooled in the same methods and tactics.
The Hatters included all Three Of this season's new first year pros plus a handful of new names to the academy in their line-up. A double from the Minstermen's Luke Jones Proved too much for the young Hatters, with Jamie Walsh Notching their reply in a 2-1 defeat.
For the next game a week later, it was their first competitive match at the new training ground, and it`s fair to say they certainly found their feat in the competition. Travelling up from the Midlands were the U19s from Solihull Moors NLA Academy, and their journey back could not have been much fun as County were six ahead at half time and went on to record a 9-1 victory.
Their goals came from Zack Clarke, Josh Edwards, two each from Jamie Walsh and Tomas Kelly plus an Adam Owen hat trick.
The Moors goal was scored by Harvey Siddal who has figured in some of their 20-21 first team pre-season games.
Moors had suffered an early injury and this game was possibly too easy a victory for the coaches at the County Academy to learn much about their charges, other than a healthy attitude to keep going for goals despite a match winning interval score line.
The training ground had seen a game a week earlier with the U19 YDS side Playing their opening National League U19 Alliance : Division H Game of the season.
This group certainly seemed to settle to the new surroundings well enough, recording an 8-4 win against Chorley's BTec side. In this match the goals came from Mackenzie Cookson, Nick Sumner and sub Ben Taylor, with a brace for George Neal whilst Aaron Owens notched his own hat trick.
It appears this week's scheduled opponents for the Academy North side Hartlepool United have dropped out of the league, so after the other games County have settled in third place in the fledgling table.
Meanwhile the Division H side were in action on Wednesday and they recorded a second victory to top their own very early season table. That win saw them hit three at home to the Rochdale AFC Elite Development Centres, who got just one in reply. Scorers details to follow in next month's report.
Looking ahead early October will see the youngsters starting their FA Youth Cup campaign. They join at the second of three qualifying rounds and had been drawn to host Hyde United who beat Southport 3-0 last Friday.
The first meeting of the two clubs in the competition has now been switched to Hyde due to the demands on EP for first team games next week. Hyde report as follows:
"The fixture will be played on Friday 9th October with a 7:45pm Kick-Off at Ewen Fields. Entry is pay on the gate; Adults £3 and Child £1."
This may well mean the scheduled Academy North league match with Guiseley will be delayed until later in the season. Also the third Hatters team are due to get their season underway on Sunday with a North West Youth Alliance Premier Division game against Altrincham U18s.
All being well there will be another of these updates in early November.
Ian Watts
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