Burton Albion Academy players Regan Ganley, Kyle Clamp and Jack Holmes reflected on the under 18s team’s 3-1 defeat to Walsall in the Youth Alliance Cup.
The Brewers could not have progressed from their group even with a win, having won just one of their opening three games in the competition. Regan Ganley scored Burton’s only goal in the defeat.
Ganley was delighted to score in the game and thinks that the mood within the squad is good despite not winning the game.
He said: “I was delighted to score. Walsall are my old club so it was great to get a goal against them.
“The mood is positive and negative, we all wanted to win today’s game. The result didn’t come our way but we all worked hard.”
Forward Kyle Clamp believes that the team’s work ethic was on show during the match, but thinks a lack of quality in attack was the biggest reason for Burton tasting defeat.
He said: “Everyone worked hard during the game but we didn’t really create many chances to score goals. Going forward, there was just not enough quality in the final third.
The Burton squad was made-up of first-year scholars and under 16s player who will be making the step-up to Youth Alliance football next season. Clamp is pleased to be getting an early chance to play with his new teammates.
“Next year, we will be playing with the under 16s (who played against Walsall), so to get some games with them already is always going to be good.”
Jack Holmes is one of those under 16s who will be joining the under 18s next season. He says that getting experience in competitive games has been a challenge for him, but one that he will relish.
He said: “It is a tough challenge but it is getting me ready for next season when I am with the under 18s. I got around 20 minutes at the end and it was a really good experience.
“We all worked hard but lacked a bit of quality in the final third. It was my second game with the squad and I am still getting moulded in. I like all the lads and it is a good squad to play with.”