Exeter City's under-18s are back at home this weekend, facing Stevenage at the Cliff Hill at 2pm in the Youth Alliance League South.
Following four defeats to open the season, Nicky Ajose will be looking for a reaction from his side as they lineup to face the Hertfordshire side.
Nicky Ajose's thoughts
City's under-18s manager Nicky Ajose said he's been disappointed with the way his side have started the season, especially from a defensive point of view.
"We spoke about it with the players at the start of the week but we've conceded 14 goals in four games which is incredible, and 10 of those are what I'd describe as 'horrors'," Nicky said.
"It's the fine balance when you're working with young players - you don't want to create fear in terms of making mistakes."
However, on a brighter note two of Nicky's players were called up to Gary Caldwell's first team on Tuesday night and made their SJP debuts in the Bristol Street Motors trophy win against Swindon.
"The reason why we have an under-18s group is to create players for the first team or beyond hopefully," Nicky explained. "So the results are important but more important are the performances and the performances have been really poor and that's why we need to get better.
"But it's nights like Tuesday where you get to see some potential for the future, it was really good for two players to be recognised like that."
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Last time we met
The young Grecians last met Stevenage in April 2022, when an entertaining match at the training ground finished in a 3-3 draw. Gabriel Billington opened the scoring before Alfie Cunningham and an own goal made it 3-0 City. However, a dramatic comeback, including a late equaliser, meant that the teams walked back to the changing rooms with a point apiece.
You can read the full match report here.
Defender Jack Anthony's preview
Despite a difficult start to the season, centre-back Jack Anthony is pleased to be back on the pitch after a long lay-off at the end of 2023/24.
“It’s been good for me to get back on after six months out and I’ve had some minutes, we just need to improve as a team now.
“We have to stop conceding goals because we have actually been good defensively in our own box, but it’s further up the pitch defensively we need to improve.”
Anthony’s teammates Louie Cayless and Liam Oakes featured for the first team in Tuesday’s Bristol Street Motors Trophy clash against Swindon Town, and he has been inspired by their promotion to the senior squad.
“We train with them every day and they have picked up so much that we can try and incorporate into our games. It is so inspiring!”
Ahead of Saturday’s game, Jack added: “It will be a really physical game and we will be really up for it.”
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How to follow
Updates will come on the academy's X page, @ECFC_Academy.