Eric Kinder spoke to us about the Youth victory over Blackpool:

"The game was always going to be a big test, because they are young boys and it is sometimes easy to forget that.

They were involved in a physical game last Saturday, and I actually expected them to be tired when they faced Blackpool on Monday.

To be fair, Blackpool had been involved in a game themselves on Saturday, so I'm sure that they were wondering what reaction they would get as well.

As it turned out, I was absolutely delighted with what we did. It was a top of the table clash, and we knew that we had to win it to really stay in touch, and we responded. Overall, I was very happy with how we played.

I was critical of them at half time, but I think I was probably being picky. There was also a little bit of keeping them on their toes involved as well, because I didn't want them to start switiching off and feeling tired.

I'm also still aware that every single day that they are with me is a learning day. I can't give them too much rope, and allow them to relax too much, because that will teach them the wrong lessons.

After the game, I was able to tell them just how delighted I was, which put us all on a high.

We started the game well, and we could have taken the lead even earlier than we did. We scored after about 90 seconds, but we were pushing forward before that. I couldn't see what was happening from where I was, but the goal was full credit to Ryan Bowman. He got himself between the two central defenders, when they got themselves in a muddle, and the next thing that I could see is him wheeling away and celebrating his goal. He's had a great start to life at this level, has the lad, and I'm pleased for him.

Ryan has shown an excellent attitude. I know for a fact that he went home after the game on Monday feeling really disappointed with himself. Bear in mind that he scored, and we won the game, and he still wasn't happy with himself. He felt that he should have had more, and it's really good to see that he can be critical of himself like that. I'm over the moon with him, I really am. I knew he'd be alright when I signed him, but he has really applied himself and he has made quite an impact.

Like I say, we got our noses in front and, for the rest of the game, it was nip and tuck. They never really threatened, but we did look like we were running out of steam, the longer it went on.

We did control things second half, which was good, and it came as no surprise when John Seaton took himself on a great run off the ball, to open a space up. Steve Hindmarch was able to step in and score the type of goal that only he can score. There was a small gap at the near post, and he managed to poke it through. It was a fantastic finish, with the type of composure that you get from him.

Once we went two up it became really comfortable. They weren't happy with the officials, but I thought they were fine. Having said that, Dan could easily have walked for a tackle that he did, and he only received a yellow. He was probably lucky to get away with that.

We were strong again down the middle of our defence and, in fact, we were strong right through the team.

We've come out of the other side of what could have been a tough game with a very good victory. The only exception to that is the fact that we now have to wait and see what happens to Browny. He picked up a really bad knock right at the end, so we'll have to bide our time and see what the medical poeple say about that.

This result now takes us towards the next one, at Walsall, in very good heart. If we can win that one on Saturday then it will get very exciting as we wait for the rearranged big one against Wigan. Hopefully we can get a couple of our players back from injury and then we can really take this on.

The squad is now being stretched, there is no doubt about that, but there are players that we can use. We'll be ok, but it is a little bit worrying that we are losing two of our back four for some very important games.

Jonny Blake will go to right back, if Browny can't play, and we'll bring some of our intake in, if needs be. Matt Duffy can cover in the centre of defence, with a switch around of other personnel, so there is always a way."

Team - Mitchell, Brown, Wordsworth, Aldred, Duffy, Seaton, Hindmarch, Blake (Lakeland), Tinnion (Dowson), Bowman, Cook (Law).

Note - An U18 player from Newcastle, Michael Hepplethwaite, will team up with the lads later this week after enjoying a successful initial trial period with the Youth team in January. He's a striker, and was registered with the club at the end of his trial period. Eric said: "He's a good, strong player, and he's there to help us out if we need him."