Brian Davey wants to give Knaresborough’s young players a chance in the first team
Brian Davey has promised Knaresborough Town’s young players a chance to play in the first team before the end of the season.
Knaresborough have fallen short of their promotion aspirations in the Toolstation NCEL Division One, but are sitting comfortable in mid-table.
This has allowed Davey to start planning for the summer and he wants the use of the club’s reserve and under 19s players in the first team.
“The target is to finish as high as we can and what we’re doing between now and the end of the season is blooding new players,” he told Non League Yorkshire.
“We want to give some of the reserve and academy lads a chance.
“When you’re safe in 12th or 14th you can afford to have a bit of gamble and see what players are like and take into next season.
“It’s business as usual for next season. We don’t see any reason why not to. The club is in the best position it has ever been in its history.
“We have been looking ahead to next season in the last two or three weeks.
“We’re giving the young kids chances and it is up to them to take it. If they turn up and train and play well, we’ll play them.”
Knaresborough face a tricky test at Hemsworth Miners Welfare tomorrow – the side who hoping re-ignite their promotion chances.
Davey added: “We’re struggling upfront a little bit.
“Colin (Heath) has come back from suspension, but he is not fully fit yet. Mitch (Hamilton) had a couple of weeks out and Brad Walker sprained his ankle.
“As a team we are not conceding goals. I think over the last three or four games we have played some of the better sides such as Bottesford and last week Clipstone.
“We had chances to win them both. Last week we hit crossbar and they scored from a free kick.”
Club captain Matt Duerden is back in contention to play again after playing in the friendly with the West Yorkshire League representative team last night.
Duerden broke his collarbone a few months ago.