Town’s U18s are in action against Arsenal at Playford Road on Saturday morning (KO 11am). Coach Russell Osman says his players have benefited from manager Paul Jewell’s close interest in the club’s academy set-up with the likes of Callum Bennett and Joe Whight regulars in the reserves this season.
Osman said: "We've got a good crop of players of both first and second-year scholars, who are all progressing nicely at the moment.
"The manager has been keeping an eye on them this season and has shown a great interest into how the boys are doing, which is great for them.
"We keep stressing that the results aren't the important aspects of academy football, it's more about the development of the players and preparing them for the next level of football.
"A few of them have had a taste of that playing for the reserves recently, against some top opposition, which will only benefit their development."
U18s: Conor O’Donnell, David October, Jide Maduako, Aaron Jones, Elliot Scotcher, Jack Marriott, Jack Simmons, Shaun Meikle, Gunnar Thorsteinnssen, Mark Timlin, Byron Lawrence, Tommy Winter, Callum Bennett, Jonny Leddy, Nicolay Schrøder, Joe Whight.