Youngsters stretched to the limit

ATHLETIC again paid the price for poor defending as they lost 3-0 at home to Wrexham in the North-West Youth Alliance.

But there were mitigating circumstances for the defeat as Phillip McGrath and Djeny Bembo-Leta were called into the first-team squad and seven others were injured, including striker Tom Eaves, who had scored 11 goals in seven games.

Eaves’ ankle problem is likely to keep him out for several weeks.

And to add to Athletic’s woes, they also had Latvian Nick Zaicevs sent off after an altercation with an opponent who was also dismissed.

Athletic found themselves 3-0 down at half-time as their side, which included three schoolboys, showed the same defensive frailties as the previous week when they lost 4-1 at Carlisle.

In fairness, Athletic made a fist of things in the second half despite finishing the match with only one second-year scholar, such was the youth in their side.

Irish youngster Kirk Miller was Athletic’s best player.

“It was a disappointing result, but there were a lot of positives to take from the second half,” explained head of youth Tony Philliskirk.


FORMER Athletic player Rob Scott, like his brother Andy, is carving out a successful career in management.

While Andy manages Brentford, Athletic’s Coca-Cola League One opponents last Saturday, Rob is finding his way lower down the footballing pyramid.

Rob kicked off his managerial career in January when he and Paul Hurst were appointed joint managers of Ilkeston Town, whom they guided from mid-table to promotion to the Blue Square North.

The pair left Ilkeston in the summer and have since taken charge of Boston United in the UniBond League, premier division.


STEVE Kabba, the striker who had a loan spell with Athletic last season, ended a summer of uncertainty by signing for Brentford.

The 28-year-old was released by Watford and was unable to find a new employer until Brentford stepped in with an offer for the 2009/10 season.

Kabba admitted it was an unsettling time as he only joined the Bees two days before the start of the new campaign.

“There are still a lot of players who are still without clubs,” he said.