Boss says opportunity is there for 'good group' to shine in Youth Cup tie.

First-team manager David Artell has wished the club’s youngsters all the best for tonight’s FA Youth tie against Grimsby Town. The match is taking place at Mornflake Stadium this evening with a 7pm kick-off and Artell has told Lee Bell’s Under-18s to seize with the opportunity to impress.

Ahead of tonight’s game, the Alex boss said: “I would say to the boys, Carpe Diem, (seize the day) and treat it like another game. It is often perceived as a bigger game and it will be interesting to see who gets cramp after 80 minutes, the opposition included.

“The young lads treat it as a bigger game and it is in terms of it being a knockout cup competition, but they have to not play the occasion and cope with that mentally. They have to play with no pressure and play their normal game. If they do that they will be fine because it is a good group.

“Last year it wasn’t a good group, but we believe that we have a few in this group who have a great chance of coming through. Some have trained with the first team already, been involved in pre-season or been out on loan. We will look to get one or two more out on loan when we think they are ready. It is all a process to make sure they are ready to cope with first team football.”