UCL: Mallows praises youngsters as Flourmen get their season going

There was relief all-round for Whitworth as they picked up their first win of the Future Lions United Counties League Premier Division season last weekend.
Action from Whitworth's 2-1 success over Harborough Town in the UCL Premier Division last Saturday. Picture by Alison BagleyAction from Whitworth's 2-1 success over Harborough Town in the UCL Premier Division last Saturday. Picture by Alison Bagley
Action from Whitworth's 2-1 success over Harborough Town in the UCL Premier Division last Saturday. Picture by Alison Bagley

Two goals from Remy Brittain gave them a 2-1 home success over Harborough Town as they made it two wins in a row following a 1-0 victory against Sileby Rangers in the first round of the UCL Knockout Cup the previous midweek.

The league win lifted James Mallows’ team off the foot of the table and the Flourmen boss knows his side will need to keep picking points up against clubs around them if they are to avoid a relegation dogfight.

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But the Whitworth manager was also full of praise for the young players he has had to draft into the team in recent weeks after an injury crisis.

“It got to the point, because of the number of injuries we had, that I was having to put 16 and 17-year-olds in there and let them sink or swim,” Mallows said.

“We have gone with that younger core and some of them have come in and have done really well.

“We have had two wins in a row and the result against Sileby gave everyone a bit of confidence.

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“And we took that into the weekend. Harborough are no pushovers and we possibly could have scored more than we did.

“The key for us is to make sure we take points off the teams around us.

“That was something we didn’t do last season and it caused us problems. If we do it this time, I am sure we will be fine.”

The Flourmen face a tough task this weekend, however.

They head to second-placed Pinchbeck United who are currently on a year-long unbeaten run in league matches.

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But Mallows is focused on ensuring his team’s recent revival continues.

“They are on a long unbeaten run in league football,” he added.

“But every team has had unbeaten runs before and all good things have to come to an end eventually.

“We will have a gameplan and if we execute it and it comes off then we will be delighted but it’s going to be an extremely tough game.

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“We want to keep our good form going and that’s what we will aim to do.”

Burton Park Wanderers inflicted more misery on Raunds Town in midweek.

Wanderers moved up to seventh place in the UCL Division One table with a 2-0 success over the Shopmates, who have now lost seven in a row in the league.

First-half goals from Patrick Campbell and Mason Thomas, from the penalty spot, proved to be enough for the hosts at Latimer Park.

This weekend's Future Lions United Counties League fixtures

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Premier Division: Daventry Town v Eynesbury, Deeping v Oadby, Desborough v Holbeach, Harborough v Kirby Muxloe, Leicester Nirvana v Cogenhoe, Peterborough Northern Star v ON Chenecks, Pinchbeck v Whitworth, Rugby v Newport Pagnell, Sleaford v Rothwell Corinthians, Wellingborough Town v Boston Town.

Division One: Anstey Nomads v Thrapston, Aylestone Park v Raunds, Blackstones v Sileby Rangers, Bourne v Burton Park Wanderers, Bugbrooke v St Andrews, Harrowby v Irchester, Huntingdon v Long Buckby, Lutterworth Athletic v Holwell Sports, Melton v Lutterworth Town, Rushden & Higham v Birstall United.