2023 ACADEMY SENIOR PHASE PRE-SEASON FRIENDLIES CONFIRMED
We are pleased to confirm the following eight pre-season friendlies for our Academy Senior Phase Squad.
Fresh from winning the Western Counties Floodlight Youth League for the first time in six years, U18s manager Louis Dean and Senior Phase Manager Mark McKeever have put together a tough pre-season to prepare their young squad ahead of the 23/24 campaign.
The Seagulls start off with a trip to face Cheddar’s 1st Team on Tuesday 18th July, before facing Worle Rangers in a double header on Saturday 22nd July against their first team and reserve sides.
Two home games in three days soon follow, against Uphill Castle Reserves on Tuesday 25th July, before Nailsea United’s first team make the trip to The Optima Stadium on Thursday 27th July.
Louis Dean and Mark McKeever then take their side to face Hanham’s first team on Tuesday 8th August, before welcoming the youth sides of Risca United on Thursday 10th August.
The final away trip sees the squad face Berrow’s 1st Team & Reserves in a double header on Wednesday 16th August, before finishing the pre-season schedule at home against Sporting Weston on Tuesday 22nd August.
Full Academy Senior Phase pre-season schedule:
Tuesday 18th July, Cheddar First Team (A), KO TBC
Saturday 22nd July, Worle Rangers First Team & Reserves (H – Langford Pitch), KO TBC (two matches)
Tuesday 25th July, Uphill Castle Reserves (H – Langford Pitch), KO 6:30pm
Thursday 27th July, Nailsea United First Team (H – Langford Pitch), KO 6:30pm
Tuesday 8th August, Hanham First Team (A), KO 6:45pm
Thursday 10th August, Risca United U18s/U19s (H – Langford Pitch), KO 6:30pm
Wednesday 16th August, Berrow First Team & Reserves (A), KO 6:30pm (two matches)
Tuesday 22nd August, Sporting Weston (H – Langford Pitch), KO 6:30pm
Entry to all home pre-season games is free.
U18s Manager, Louis Dean, said: “Last season’s schedule worked really well, so we’ll continue it this season.
“We have in place a mix of opposition to integrate the new players from the under 16s squad into senior football, whilst challenging the more experienced in the programme.
“I believe playing senior sides last season accelerated the adaption of the players into the senior phase.
“We have some tough fixtures. Winning the league last season means we need to challenge the players further.
“The under 18s league commences at the end of August and the under 19s national league and college league commences in September.
“Our pre-season schedule gives a good balance of games and training slots for players and coaches.”
We look forward to seeing the young seagulls back on the pitch come July, and hope as many supporters can get down and support the next generation of Weston players.
