WORCESTER City academy boss Mark Owen is confident a number of the club’s youngsters have what it takes to step up to the first team.
The former striker took charge of the Blue and Whites Worcestershire Senior Cup semi-final against Redditch United on Tuesday (March 18) with no fewer than ten academy players named in the squad of 16.
All but two of the ten played some part in the 2-0 defeat, but despite not getting the result they had hoped for, Owen saw enough to believe some are ready to make the first-team cut.
“I think it all depends how the next few weeks go,” he said. “If the next few weeks go positive for the club, which we all hope it does, then maybe two or three have got a chance of making it onto the bench and getting some minutes.”
Two of those to already experience being called up to the senior team are striker James Lemon and midfielder Max Crisp, who were both named on the bench in City’s 2-1 defeat at North Ferriby United last weekend.
Speaking after the side’s cup exit, Owen added: “The average age of that side is probably about 19 or 20 so it bodes well if and when these lads get an opportunity in the coming weeks towards the end of the season.
“It’s massive to have that many of them in the squad tonight and fantastic for the academy, particularly seeing as we’ve only just come up short.”
