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Levens put their “trust in the youth” ahead of Highmoor test.

Levens put their “trust in the youth” ahead of Highmoor test.

LUKE KAVANAGH11 Jan 2018 - 10:30
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https://www.longlevensafc.co.u

Youngsters given the chance to impress in the Hellenic Premier.

Amongst a lot of focus and attention on youth football within national media over the past few weeks, following the No Pressure in Paradise documentary aired on BT Sport on Sunday 07th January, Longlevens FC have adopted their own stance on youth players this season which is paying dividends to all of their sides across the Stroud and District League, Gloucestershire Northern Senior League and Hellenic League.

The clubs third team, ran by joint managers Dan English and Dan MacDonald have been the greatest drinkers from the “fountain of youth” having 5 players at 16 years old playing regular in their side.

The team currently sit top of the Stroud & District League Division Two and joint manager English has nothing but positive things to say about the process;

We now have 5 players who are regulars for us that are 16 years old. For such a young age they have really taken well to both the football club and the level of football. All of them are really confident on the ball and are generally all really good lads. Since we have put them in they haven’t put a foot wrong

With the side doing so well this has now attracted the attention of the clubs first team manager Mark Moore who has called up two players; Tom Powell-Davis and Harry Emmett into his sides’ squad this coming Saturday to face Highmoor Ibis in the Hellenic Premier.
At the start of the year it was my aim to lead not only the first team but the football club into a new era, the only way I believe to do that is to promote the chance for youth players to succeed

Both are early products of local professional football academies and came to the football club after being released or simply not enjoying the academy football scene. We’re just trying to give them the best platform to firstly, enjoy their football, but also to play a good level, so were really pleased to hear them get a first team call up” Said English.

Tom Powell-Davis, a central and wide right midfielder, was previously on a scholarship with Forest Green Rovers Under 18s squad.
After being offered a scholarship with Forest Green, which I started in July. In decided that I would leave to focus on my A levels and then came to join Longlevens, as they ere my local team and a lot of my mates already played for the side

Powell-Davis went on to tell us how he had started to enjoy his football again since joining Longlevens
Being with the lads and playing with the clubs 3rd team has made me enjoy my football more. Now being given a chance to work up through the team at Longlevens I can only see this leading to more enjoyment”

Harry Emmett, another central midfielder was involved with Cheltenham Town youth academy from Under 11s until Under 16s, when he was released.
I came to Longlevens as some of my mates who were in a similar position to me had done the same thing. Since joining the club I’ve settled in nicely and have been given lots of support, which has made it easier for me to be a part of the team

Both Powell-Davis and Emmett will go into Moores squad on Saturday which host Highmoor Ibis, as he aims to add even more momentum to their recent run of form over the festive period.

The past month we have turned in some really good performances against the teams around us, which has resulted in us picking up points and climbing the table. We’ve beaten; Burnham, Lydney Town and Brackley Town Saints and although narrowly lost to Thatcham amongst them, the performance that we gave was positive against what are probably one of the form teams in the country at our level at the minute

Amongst the two additions Longlevens also welcome back more experienced defender Craig Beaton from his duel registration period with Gloucestershire County League club Hardwicke.

We sent beats off to get some game time under his belt in order to increase his match fitness. We’ve been tracking him throughout this time and have been pleased to what we’ve heard about his performances for Hardwicke. We wanted to get him back sooner but unfortunately he had to serve a one game suspension over the christmas period which he had to wait to serve Saturday

Longlevens also welcome back midfielder Dave Rich, who missed the sides win over Brackley Town Saints last weekend.

Looking ahead to this Saturday Moore told LAFC_media that he is happy with the current form and competition in the squad and long may it continue to have a positive impact on the sides results;

I’m constantly banging the drum to the side to emphasis the message of playing for the shirt, lads who do well will simply stay, regardless of age or experience
Kick off at Saw Mills is 3pm on Saturday 13th January

Longlevens: Wintle, Smylle, Kavanagh, Phillips, Beaton, Kennedy, Welch, Turner, O’Connor, C Martin, Merrick, B Martin, Long, Rich, Powell-Davis, Emmett.

Longlevens have been drawn against Gloucestershire rivals Brimscombe and Thrupp in the Bluefin Sports Supplementary Cup which will take place on Tuesday 23rd Jan at The Meadow 7.45pm kick off.

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