SAM Rose says that the Young Brewers should feel positive about their performance against Coventry City at the Pirelli Stadium.
The under 18s were beaten 2-1 by the category two Academy side, despite dominating much of the game and creating a good number of chances.
Despite the result, Professional Development Phase Lead Coach Sam Rose says the players should look to build on the positives from the performance, and believes that the game should be considered a benchmark for future matches.
He said: “We are really quite proud of the lads, in every way. They have approached the game with complete professionalism, they applied the work we did in training in preparation for the game excellently and have coped with the pressure the game put them under. They have played in front of a decent crowd, in front of the wider Academy players and staff and family and friends on the first team pitch, it is another priceless experience for them. We are gutted to have lost the game of course, non more so than the lads, because we all feel that it could have gone our way with the chances we created. But, we are a hardworking and honest group so we will keep plugging away. We’ve got talented players and tonight showed that.
“I think we were on top for large periods and definitely created the better chances. It is a little bit of both, really, you are disappointed not to go through to the second-round, and we really could have done on tonight’s performance, but we are also encouraged by what we’ve seen from the group.
“We understand what it is all about. It is about experience for the lads and if they keep playing the way that they did against Coventry, the future is bright. If we can keep playing to those levels then we will have a good season, no doubt.”
‘’Our congratulations go to Coventry City, Andy, Andy, Mick and Richard, we wish them the very best in the next round.’’