Bristol Rovers

After a very disappointing start to the season the U-18 Academy side have really found their feet these last two months.

Despite a number of serious long term injuries to some key players, evergreen Youth Team Manager Alan Walsh and his youthful side are going through a purple patch. During a seven game unbeaten run they have drawn 1-1 both home and away with runaway league leaders AFC Bournemouth.

This good run has been even more impressive because it has coincided with the recent departure of the very influential Academy Manager, Tom Curtis. In the first nine league games there was only one win and one draw and the Academy side were bottom of the league table.

The same small squad of players have been used throughout and the upturn in fortunes is a result of application, good team work and a genuine determination to improve by the players in the Academy.

Their most recent fixture, on Saturday December 20th 2014, saw them draw 4-4 draw against Newport County with goals from Tyler Little, Harrison Trueman, Lewis Ellington and Connor Jones earning them a valuable point. One key feature about this side is that they seem to resemble the first team in that the goals are being scored by players in all positions..

If you want to support the Academy youngsters, then why not come along to see them face Portsmouth, at Hallen FC, on 10th January (kick off 10.30am).