WITH the onset of the New Year, the Weston Youth team can look forward with optimism.

WITH the onset of the New Year, the Weston Youth team can look forward with optimism.

The players are well placed in both leagues to have a real chance at winning both titles. In the Under-19 Conference Alliance, Weston have been scoring goals for fun, but have struggled defensively. Good results against Reading and Exeter have given the players some major scalps in their fledgling season.

In the Somerset Floodlit League they are perched at the top of the table after playing five games and scoring 23 goals. Both competitions have enabled local players to develop their skills and push for places in the first team. Dayle Grubb has been one of the bright lights this season, establishing himself in the first team and with Jake Harris and Rhys Farmer also involved with the first team squad, it proves the system is working.

Director of Youth, Ryan Northmore, has been particularly pleased with the direction the youth team is heading, commenting: "The Under-19s and Under-18s have done really well so far this season. I have been pleased with the progress of many of the players and I expect that in the coming seasons more players will be following in the footsteps of Dayle Grubb.

"There are a lot of positives that we are very proud of, our partnership with Weston College is a fantastic programme for young players in Weston to get involved with."

Northmore has recently completed his FA Licence at Lilleshall. "It was a fantastic experience and I got to talk football with the likes of Gianfranco Zola who was also on the course. I learnt a lot and I hope that my new skills can benefit the young players at the club."

Under-19s Conference Alliance fixtures for January and February: Wednesday, January 20, Cirencester Academy, home, kick-off time on club website; Wednesday, January 27, Eastleigh, away, 2pm; Monday, February 1, Team Bath, home, 7.45pm; Wednesday, February 3, Exeter, home, kick-off time on club website; Wednesday, February 10, Farnborough, away, 2pm; Wednesday, February 17, home, kick-off time on club website; Wednesday, February 24, home, kick-off time on club website.

Under-18s Somerset Floodlit League: Wednesday, January 27, Bishop Sutton, away, 7.30pm; Monday, February 22, Bitton, away, 7.30pm.

Weston's Blue Square South game at home against Bromley was a victim to the weather, the Woodspring Stadium pitch failing an inspection at mid-day on Friday.

On Saturday, Weston are scheduled to travel to Braintree Town for a 3pm kick-off.