Conference News: City Boss Lays Down Challenge

Last updated : 15 December 2007 By Stray Shots Team

Former reserve 'keeper Arran Reid is the only product of City's youth programme to have started a senior game during the last two seasons, but Walker feels this year's crop have a chance of making the breakthrough.

Eric Winstanley's youngsters bowed out of the FA Youth Cup on Wednesday night at the third round stage following a 3-0 defeat at Chester City, but temporary chief Walker has been impressed with their development.

The Minstermites narrowly missed out on an away tie at Tottenham after being defeated by Chester but caused an earlier shock by winning 2-0 at Bury.

Left-winger Liam Shepherd has featured regularly for the reserves this season while centre-backs Danny Stimpson and Josh Radcliffe have both started recent second- string games, along with midfielder Russell Spence while Adam Boyes and Matthew Johnson have enjoyed substitute run-outs.

Left-back Andy McWilliams also figured for City's first XI in pre- season and, ahead of this morning's trip to Hull City, former Barnsley youth- team coach Walker said: "All of them have brought credit to the football club and themselves. Some are knocking on the reserves' door and hopefully beyond that, but that's always down to them. The biggest test now is how they come back."

Reporter: Dave Flett
Source: http://www.yorkpress.co.uk/