Asa Mitchell’s three goals in four U23s matches should come as no surprise from the semi-professional, Thackley forward, an efficiency in front of goal assisted by his former Farsley u19s coach James Knowles.
Knowles arranged for Mitchell to play in men’s football, being a friend of the Thackley manager, a level that quickly converted Mitchell to a forward.
“That’s my best attribute,” claims Mitchell, Farsley’s current no.10 and former Thackley winger before they converted him to a striker.
Mitchell, 19, joined Thackley at 16 and was quickly moved central as a striker to accommodate his strengths but also the maturity of men’s football.
It was a successful repositioning as Mitchell scored four in a Thackley 6-1 win in his second season at the club.
Mitchell, having already featured for the Celts’ first-team, was awarded a trial at Rotherham United soon after, aged 18, but with no u23s set-up at the Millers, Mitchell returned to semi-professional Thackley to bridge the gap, continuing his development.
“It’s more physical and fast paced at Thackley. At the U23s you have a lot more time on the ball, it’s a lot prettier.
“It’s good learning all aspects of the game,” Mitchell explained on playing two roles, two different systems under two different managers. “I’ve played deeper for Farsley as well.”
Mitchell’s current form in midfield for the U23s, accumulating several assists also, often sees him drop back, deep into central midfield.
“It’s an understanding thing [at the u23s]. We’re always told if someone pushes higher then the other two sit.”
The U23s and Thackley man credited manager Neil Ross and academy director Lutel James who “help a lot to secure those opportunities”.
Mitchell’s focus now is to move higher up the leagues and “hopefully a professional club”.