THE YOUTH of tomorrow are being given the chance to prove themselves at Sphinx and manager Luke Hopkins is confident the Midland Premier Division club will reap the rewards in the non-too distant future.
After a series of disappointing performances earlier in the season, Hopkins threatened to make drastic changes and ship out any dead wood.
And the former player did just that.
On Saturday he watched his young side claim a point at home to ninth-placed Stourport Swifts following a 0-0 draw at Sphinx Drive.
And although his team have only won one of their last six league matches, Hopkins is confident he is seeing an improvement.
“We are developing after a change of personnel playing wise,” said Hopkins.
“We haven’t hid from anyone in saying we are open to give the youth a chance at the minute and certainly Saturday was a big advert for that.
“Two of the midfielders were 18, the other two were 17 and we had two more 19-year-old’s in defence.
“But with the young lads we have some brilliant older lads who are playing their part in developing the youngsters. “There was easily 14 contenders for man of the match on Saturday and that’s what makes me happy.”
Sphinx had chances to beat Stourport but Hopkins feels a draw was a fair result.
“I always felt we could nick the three points. I thought Stourport were very much an older experienced team and well drilled in what they do.
“We dug in and put a shift in. Some of the football played was a joy to watch.
“I felt we had some good chances to win the game in the first half and one or two in the second.
“We rode our luck a couple of times, but sometimes you need that little bit of luck to go on and win games, but it’s another point, the home record is still looking half decent and we go again this week.”
