Red-hot Eaves on the mark

STRIKER Tom Eaves is on a red-hot streak after scoring in every pre-season game so far for Athletic’s youth team.

The talented teenager, who is already attracting interest from other clubs, has found the net five times in four matches.

His latest strike came in Saturday’s 4-0 friendly win against Bradford City at Chapel Road where Djemy Bembo-Lita, Laquan Esdaile and Philip McGrath were also on target, the latter with a spectacular 25-yard effort.

Eaves has also scored twice in a 2-1 victory at Conway, in a 3-1 defeat at Everton and a 2-1 home success against Grimsby when schoolboy Jack Laird also found the net.

Athletic’s youngsters would have played even more matches had friendlies at New Mills and Ashton United not been cancelled through waterlogged pitches.

Athletic under-17s are in action tomorrow when they play Yeovil, who are on tour, at Chapel Road (2pm). Spectators are welcome.

The youngsters play their final friendly at Middlesbrough on Saturday and then open their North West Youth Alliance fixtures against Accrington Stanley at Chapel Road on Saturday, August 15 (11am).