Last weekend the whole of Cheltenham Town Academy (players that is!) had a weekend off due to there being a very busy schedule in the past two months.
It has been an extremely busy, productive and enjoyable start to the season and as we enter into October, it is important all players are in a good state of mind and body ready for what is going to continue to be a very busy period.
This packed schedule is due to Floodlit Cup games for the Under-14s, Under-15s and Under-16s, as well as their usual weekend games programme, and lots of different festivals and game types for the foundation phase. This variety of games programme is massively important for our players to ensure we shape their footballing education to prepare them for first team football.
The Under-16s lost 3-1 to Swindon last week in their first Floodlit Cup fixture. After what was a very commanding performance in the first half, and scoring through Aaron Evans-Harriott, the second half was a great learning curve for the players in understanding and dealing with pressure. Thank you to the fans who came along to support the players!
Congratulations also to Aaron who has been placed on standby for the Wales Victory Shield squad this month. Aaron has been part of the Academy set-up since the Under-nines and is a technically gifted player with a low centre of gravity, who creates and scores goals mainly playing on the wing.
The Under-18s face Bristol Rovers this weekend in the league and will be looking to carry on their good form over the last month. They have also had their draw for the quarter finals of the League Cup and will travel to play Yeovil on November 4th.
Congratulations to second year scholar George Lloyd who was on the bench against Forest Green the other night and to Academy product Matt Bower for playing 90 minutes and doing very well.
Finally, good luck to the manager and the first team in their game against Swindon on Saturday!