AFC DUNSTABLE | YOUNG GUNS GO FOR IT

Oxley shows faith in his young charges

AFC Dunstable return to League action on Tuesday evening determined to put the disappointment of Saturday’s Isuzu FA Trophy exit behind them and continue their challenge amongst the leading pack in the Pitching In Southern League Division One Central.

Manager, Joe Oxley’s young side have won their last two League outings, beating Stotfold 2-0 and securing a 2-1 success at Leighton Town, to make it three wins and five defeats so far and the manager has admitted that he is happy with the progress that is being made.

“It’s been a busy start to the season, but over the past couple of weeks we’ve started to get on top of things with a decent routine and a solid and consistent group of players,” Oxley told @afcdmediatv. “I am pleased with the progress that has been made in a short period of time and we’re enjoying the challenges that this League presents.

“We had a clear idea when we came in that we wanted to develop a pool of young players who have the hunger and drive to learn and improve and use this as a platform to progress to the next level.

“We had four or five 18 year-olds start our last game and another four or five on the bench, so we are a very young side but a lot of the lads have been around full-time football so come with an idea of what is expected of them.

“There are a lot of leaders within the group; they are fearless and have a good level of maturity despite their tender years.

“Obviously there have been periods in games so far when we maybe needed that extra bit of experience, but the one thing that these boys have responded well to when things have not gone our way and learned from it.

“There’s a block of three tough games in a week coming up. Each game will provide different challenges but we back ourselves to be competitive against anyone in this League.

“We’ll rotate and freshen things up during these games, but we’re confident in the group and this offers us a chance to build and keep moving in the right direction.”

Tuesday sees them head to Welwyn Garden City before a trip to Hadley on Saturday.

AFC Dunstable Web Site