Gateshead FC Academy’s Head of Football, Tony Wigham, stressed that his youngsters shouldn’t go into their FA Youth Cup tie against Carlisle United as underdogs.
The Heed’s youth take on The Cumbrians in the third round qualifying on Wednesday, October 15 (7pm kick off) at the UTS Stadium, with a place in the first round at stake for the winners.
Gateshead reached this stage of the competition with a resounding 4-0 win away to Newcastle Benfield last week, with Wigham pleased at how his side adapted to their surroundings at Sam Smith’s Park.
“It was a very good result,” he said.
“I was really happy with how the lads tried to play, we train on nice 4G pitches and that was a real Northern League pitch that has had a lot of games on it, so it was good to see them try and play on the grass and deal with a surface that wasn’t as flat as we’re used to.
“I thought we got a bit too comfortable in the first half and tried to complicate things, but once we got started getting back to our game in the second half we turned the screw and just took over.
“The most pleasing thing though, was whenever we gave the ball away we were right on top of them to win it back.”
The academy’s success has not been limited to the FA Youth Cup this season though, with Wigham’s side unbeaten in the NLFA North Division having won all four of their opening fixtures so far, while 10 academy players featured in the first team’s Frank Pattison Challenge Cup win over Durham United.
Adam Martin, Jake Lish and James Blakey have all been present in Alun Armstrong’s first team squads in recent weeks, joining academy graduates such as Ben Williams, Callum Bone, Connor Pani and Lucas Lowery in the senior sides.
“We’re in a good place,” said Wigham.
“Competition breeds competition, so there’s lads fighting for places and our job is to make sure that they’re all striving to be the best they can be, and that whilst some players are getting chances, the other lads still feel like they’re developing and that we’re not just looking after one or two.
“We’ve got a good group, and sometimes it is a bit of luck involved in getting opportunities around the first team, but we want to make sure that everyone knows that they’re a vital part of the team.
“We don’t give out opportunities as tokens or for the sake of it, so the lads have earned it.
“We know it’s competitive and you’ve got to be very good to be a professional footballer, but I think the lads feel valued and whether they get opportunities or not, Alun has got time for them.”
Wednesday’s tie sees Wigham’s boys host a Carlisle United side who reached the third round of last season’s competition, following their 5-0 win away to Morecambe in the second round qualifying.
“We’re just treating it as normal,” he added.
“It’s about getting the ball over the halfway line efficiently, and if the lads can do that then brilliant, we’ll give them a couple of patterns.
“Ultimately, they’re the ones making the decisions, so we’ll just play how we play and as long as our quality is good and the ball speed is fast, then we’ll be able to compete.
“The massive benefit for our lads, which I haven’t seen in many groups, is the desire to work hard.
“Whether that’s pressing from the front and recovering, or counter pressing and winning the ball back, I think those are our strengths.
“We understand the level of competition will be high, but there’s no reason why we can’t get a result out of it, or why we should go in as underdogs.”
Tickets are on sale on the gate at the UTS Stadium, with adult admission priced at £3 while under 16 tickets are priced at £1.
