Yorkshire Amateur reserves’ opening fixture of the season on Saturday against Idle has added incentive with the chance to stake a claim into the plans of the new first-team management, according to reserves manager Shay Mallon.
The reserves start at The Southerns Stadium tomorrow, 2pm kick-off, as they enter the Yorkshire Amateur League for the first year for 23/24, transforming from the u23s set-up in previous seasons.
New first-team joint-managers Ashton Campbell & Liam Willingham, joined by their assistant Sean Burton, begin at Athersley Recreation in the NCEL Division One tomorrow in a 3pm kick-off.
Mallon’s aware his objectives of preparing his players for senior football could be assisted by the fresh onlook of new first-team management at Yorkshire Amateur.
“This is an important time for all players involved in the reserve squad, as we’ve seen there’s a new management set-up in the first-team who are looking for talented players,” stated Mallon. “We’ve already seen Harry [Abson] go up to the first-team and make a name for himself. Not only that, there’s new coaching staff within the reserves, looking at these players too”.
The reserves were watched on by the first-team management in the in-house fixture as both the senior squad and reserves prepared for their first games of new eras on Saturday.
“My intention on Thursday was to see how my group of players could adapt, change what they have done previously and play a different style of football,” explained Mallon. “Credit to them all they stuck at it and played some great football. I set teams up with the intent to be constant in attack, never letting the intensity drop. The attacking style of play me and my coaches want to play isn’t easy but from what I’ve seen, all the players seem to be excited to play this style of football and are up for the challenge”.
There were several call-ups for u19s included in Thursday’s friendly, a responsibility Mallon is prioritising.
“Those u19s who were involved have impressed me and my staff over the past few games,” admitted Mallon. “Their determination to win every ball, discipline during the game and their willingness to express themselves are crucial skills.
“One of my main roles coming in as reserves manager was to develop those younger players to make sure they’re ready for first-team football”.
Ammers reserves begin the season at home tomorrow, 2pm kick-off.