Chaddy youth set-up looking good

EXCITING PROSPECT . . . Leon Iloube (right).

FOOTBALL: CHADDERTON joint-boss Mark Cook is hoping the renowned youth set-up at Andrew Street will deliver again in the second half of the North-West Counties League First Division season.

The club has often relied on young players in recent seasons, and last term several helped the side reach the play-offs. They came up short ultimately, and haven’t enjoyed the best of starts this season.

But last weekend’s 2-0 home win against Whitchurch Alport was the club’s second on the spin, and Cook is heading into the remainder of the campaign with renewed confidence.

He said: “We’ve got another nice drop of young players coming through from the reserve team again.

“These young lads are getting a chance irrespective of their age, and it’s certainly helping their progression.

“Leon Iloube scored a hat-trick on his first-team debut the other week (in a 6-3 First Division Cup win against St Helens Town). If they’re good enough, they’re old enough.

“We lose players at different stages of the season. Lads will want to go elsewhere and try to earn themselves a few quid, but having our young lads constantly coming through helps us to rebuild.

“We’re doing that at the moment, and we are playing quite well.”

Chaddy host high-flying Stockport Town on Boxing Day, before travelling to fellow mid-table side Northwich Manchester Villa on Saturday, January 2.