You were fan–tastic, says Lee

THANKS A MILLION: Lee Johnson and his team salute the Athletic fans who travelled to Leyton Orient.

ATHLETIC’S manager was a happy man following his young side’s effort in bringing home a point from the last-day trip to Leyton Orient.

With Danny Gosset (18) making his debut in central midfield, Glenn Belezika (18) restored to the heart of defence, Carl Winchester (20) in at right-back and scorer Kirk Millar (20) maintaining his place up front, Athletic’s starting XI featured four young men who have progressed through the youth system.

Seventeen-year-old Jack Truelove – a first-year scholar – was another Boundary Park product on show after he made a 79th-minute debut at left-back.

Lee Johnson felt it was a credit to his band of youngsters that Athletic — cheered on by a vocal band of 667 travelling supporters — earned a draw against a side that until last week had been pushing into the league’s top six.

“I was really, really pleased,” said Johnson. “When you look at the inexperience of the side we put out, against a very experienced side they had, I was delighted.

“We asked for a reaction from Tuesday (the defeat at Shrewsbury) and we certainly got it.

“For the first 30 minutes we were very good. Our back line was tremendous all game, and I enjoyed watching them.

“Of course, there were bits and bobs that weren’t that great, but what do you expect from a side as inexperienced as that?

“The fans were fantastic and it was great to see so many of them.

“I was surprised when I looked up and saw more than 600.

“Well done to them, they didn’t stop singing all game.

“ They enjoyed it - and that’s what I want.”