Wrens back youngsters to bounce back

Rainworth Miners Welfare will not be deflected away from their youth policy according to assistant manager Matt Clarke, despite last weekend's heavy home defeat in the Evo-Stik Northern Premier League, writes Gordon Foster.

A youthful Wrens side was put to the sword by promotion chasing Leek Town, crashing to a 5-0 reverse in the First Division South encounter, but Clarke remains not just philosophical but upbeat.

He is convinced that, despite some raw edges, the club's youngsters can bounce back when they make the short trip to Dronfield to face Sheffield FC this weekend. If Clarke was disappointed by anything at all against Leek it was the contribution by the senior players when the chips were down.

He said: "After taking four points from the two previous very good performances we were looking to push on against Leek, but we came up against a very, very good side. It will always happen when you put your emphasis on youth that when you face a side of Leek's obvious quality your inexperience is likely to get found out.

"We had seven players on the pitch aged 20 or under, and Leek's level of opposition was probably a step too far for them. But it is at times like these that we would expect the senior players to show some leadership, and that was what was lacking.

"We have so many teenagers in the side who show enthusiasm and great ability, and it's on days like this,when things don't go right for the younger players, that the more experienced and street-wise ones are on hand to help them through, but on the day they fell short of the expected mark in this respect."

Looking forward to the remainder of the season, Clarke added: "We have set ourselves a target of a number of wins, and Saturday at Sheffield will be a pointer as to how realistic that target is. Sheffield themselves are not currently in the greatest form, and we need to go there and put the Leek defeat behind us.

"With a young side you can only take each game as it comes but as long as we can see progression and development we will be happy. The lads are not at all downhearted. They are all very receptive, all learning their trade, and all ready to take information and constructive criticism on board."