This Saturday our young Shrimps take on Mansfield Town in the Youth Alliance Cup quarter-final at Lancaster and Morecambe College (2pm kick-off).
Ahead of this weekend’s meeting with the Stags, we spoke to attacker Matthew Williams to get his insight on our upcoming contest.
He said: “Preparations for the game are going well.
“We had a friendly on Tuesday which most players featured in and [we have] training [on] Thursday and Friday, which is the same as any other game.
“We know our roles and will apply it into the game on Saturday.
“We’ll approach it like any league game, even if it is a quarter final.
“It’s a big game that we want to win but there’s no extra pressure being put on the players.”
Last weekend, the young Shrimps fought back from a two-goal deficit to win 3-2 in Wrexham.
Speaking on the U18s’ recent displays, Matty said: “The team's performances have been really good.
“We’ve been conceding first, but the squads mentality to get back into the game and win the game like the one against Wrexham, shows our togetherness as a team.
“Showing we don’t give up, even if we go a few goals down.”
Williams spent time on the sidelines through injury recently, but has been a vital part of the team since his return.
Speaking on being back in action, the attacker said: “I’ve obviously been enjoying my football and it’s been good to be back with a few goals and assists to help build my confidence back up, [as well as] getting a few 90 minutes in the tank.
“Overall it’s been good and I want it to continue and stay injury free.
“I think I’ve definitely impacted the games since coming back, by earning my way back into the starting eleven and helping my team out.”
Matty has featured on the opposite flank in recent weeks, and he had the following to say when asked about the tactical tweak: “I’ve found playing on the right good, it’s a different approach that the coaches wanted to take with me and I feel I’m taking it on board well.
“I feel I’m more of a goal threat when playing on the right, and in terms of versatility, if I can play all across the front three I’m definitely more of an asset to the team.”
Finally, we asked what targets he currently had in mind for the remainder of the season, he said: “I think personally, I want to get to the 10 goal mark in the next few games, as I’m currently sitting on seven, and that will be a good mark to set as I’ve played a lot less games and minutes in my second year due to injury.
“A long term target for me personally and the team is still to try and win the league, and with the players we’ve got it’s definitely possible.”
Supporters can attend Saturday’s Youth Alliance Cup encounter against Mansfield Town for FREE at the following venue: Lancaster and Morecambe College, Morecambe Road, Lancaster, LA1 2TY