Bring on the Blues!

Photo: Picture: VINCENT BROWN

IT’S THERE . . . Andy Crompton equalises for Athletic against Sheffield Wednesday last night.

Latics starlets to shine — coach

ATHLETIC youth team coach Tony Philliskirk is backing his boys to put up a real fight against Manchester City in their big FA Youth Cup third- round clash.

A hard-fought 3-2 win against Sheffield Wednesday at Boundary Park last night featured two goals from forward Andrew Crompton — including the winner — as Athletic came from behind to take the spoils in round two.

The result leaves the promising band of youngsters with their biggest test to date against their FA Premier Academy League neighbours.

While acknowledging the huge challenge his talented squad now faces, Philliskirk (pictured) believes that if his charges perform to their potential then an upset against the Blues is possible.

“We have been drawn against arguably one of the biggest clubs in the world,” said Philliskirk, of a tie which will be played out under floodlights at Boundary Park in two or three weeks’ time.

“They are certainly up there as having the biggest budget, and even down to youth-team level recruit from all over the world.

“We are under no illusions as to the size of the task we face.

“But I back these lads to give anyone a game. There is a lot of fighting spirit as well as ability in the squad.

“It is a tie we are all really looking forward to and hopefully one that will draw a good crowd.”

At 2-1 down with only 10 minutes to go, Athletic looked to be going out of the competition.

But strikes from centre-back James Tarkowski and Crompton, with an excellent finish, turned the tie on its head.

Philliskirk praise the influence of Carl Winchester, who was shifted into central midfield from right-back as Athletic came back into the game after being outplayed in the first half, as well as substitutes Kyle Riley, Sam Fitzgerald and Alex Parkes.

“The manager (Paul Dickov} has been very complimentary about a few of our lads, as have Gerry Taggart and Lee Duxbury,” added Philliskirk, who embarks on another scouting trip to Northern Ireland this weekend.

“At the moment, this is a very promising group of players and we have high hopes for a number of them.

“We have a good record here of bringing players through the system and with the way the financial situation is at the club, that is very important.”




::ATHLETIC’S npower League One rivals Sheffield Wednesday could go into administration today.



A winding up petition against the club was being heard in the High Court and should administrators be appointed, the Owls will face a 10-point penalty.