Bolton Wanderers vs Morecambe

B TEAM AND ACADEMY
The B team were set to kick off
their Central League programme
today as Matt Craddock’s squad
began its competitive campaign.
The Whites were playing at
Fleetwood Town this afternoon to
begin a new era for the Academy
set-up.
The introduction of the B team has
been designed to try and create an
improved path-way to the first team
set-up for the club’s young players.
And it’s already showing signs
of working, with summer signing
Nelson Khumbeni and first-year
professional Lamine Toure making
senior debuts.
The teenage pair both came off
the bench in the closing stages of
the Whites’ 5-1 Carabao Cup win
over Salford City after impressing
in training and during the B team’s
pre-season fixtures.
Nelson Khumbeni and Lamine Toure
“I think it’s important we blood
some young players. It was a
perfect opportunity with the
scoreline how it was,” said
manager Ian Evatt.
“Those two have been impressing
with the B team and it will really
inspire the B team players to see
some of their team members come
on and affect the first team game.
“They should be looking at those
two as to why they’ve been chosen
and to how they’ve performed in
the B team – day-in, day-out and
not just match days.
“Credit to them – two good young
men and two excellent young
footballers and hopefully there’s
more where that came from.
“Every day on the training pitch is
an opportunity to impress us and it
will show there is a clear pathway
here.”
The B team will play in the
Central League and League Cup,
alongside a series of friendlies
to provide a variety of tests from
different opposition.
Meanwhile, the Youth Team are
having a delayed start to their
EFL Youth Alliance North West
schedule due to their pre-season
trip to Madrid.
The first couple of fixtures have
been rescheduled with Julian
Darby’s side set to start out in the
group stage of the league cup
competition at Grimsby Town next
Saturday.
The youths have enjoyed a
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successful training and educational
trip to Spain, which included three
matches and the chance to train at
the Spanish FA.
The young Whites beat local
sides CD Mostoles and Raya
Majadahonda and then in their final
game played Atletico Madrid.
Danny Jones scored for Wanderers
before the La Liga giants ran
out 2-1 winners in a fantastic
experience for Darby’s boys.
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www.bwfc.co.uk
The Wanderer | 41