Dave Wilkes with some Morecambe reaction
United coach Dave Wilkes spoke to us about the convincing youth victory over Morecambe at the weekend.
“We played really well on Saturday,” he confirmed. “We passed the ball about really well in the first half and we created several good openings.
“We got our three goals and the way we retained the ball was really pleasing. The fact that we created some good chances was also very pleasing and we looked like a decent side for long spells.
“Things slowed down a bit in the second half but you’d expect that from young players because they’ll have felt they had the game wrapped up. We probably took one or two touches more than we needed to, but they responded to what we were saying and they snapped out of it to get the football going again.”
“In terms of defending we restricted Morecambe to just one or two, so that was good to see,” he continued. “They did get a penalty in the first half, when it was at 2-0 to us, but it was a fantastic save from Lewis Brass from a very well hit spot kick. Things like that are almost like turning points and we notched up another gear from a position of having played very well anyway.”
“The lads deserved the win on the performance they gave,” he said. “We’re a side which plays very well at home at the moment and the aim is to recreate that for our away games. I’m sure that will come because this is a really hard working group.”
“Football is the same at every level,” he told us. “If you take the chances then it increases the intensity of how you play. The first and last goals originated well inside our own half and to watch the lads keep the ball, then finish it off in the way they did, is a huge lift for everybody.
“The pick of the goals was the fourth one from Frankie Wallace. We passed it really well and that released him to be able to pick his spot. It was very good to watch.”
“I think we can see the lads growing in confidence all the time,” he said. “Morecambe had periods where they threatened but they didn’t really hurt us much. As I said earlier, that shows the lads are learning and listening and that can only be good for us all.
“They’ve got a tough test away at Walsall next week and they’ll need to do all of the same things again if they are going to get a result. I’m sure they’ll be up for it because they are definitely enjoying their football at the moment.”
United – Brass, Chisholm, Douglas, Dickson, Marshall, Wallace, Hammell, White (Pearson 80), Elliott (Rudd 85), Blackburn (Meaghan 85), Brough. Subs – Eccles, Morley.
Goals – Elliott, Blackburn, White, Wallace.
Click HERE for a gallery of images from the game.