Woods pleased with Youth's character

NEIL Woods is confident his Grimsby Town Youth team will show their character after defeat to York City at the weekend.

The young Mariners were in Midlands Cup action against Chasetown last night before a tough trip to Hartlepool United in the Youth alliance North East Conference this weekend.

And while Woods won't be there with them in the north east, due to his promotion to first-team duty as caretaker manager, he is sure they will have the bit between their teeth after a first defeat in six league and cup games against the Minstermen.

Woods said: "They are good lads and have the character to bounce back from the set-back against York.

"They were all keen to get playing again last night in the Midlands Cup with a chance of getting through to the semi-final stage and also another opportunity to play at Blundell Park.

"Knowing the squad like I do, I didn't expect anything else from them.

"They want to prove a point any time they lose and that's a good trait to have.

"Of course, you have to warn against complacency when you face a team you are expected to beat, like Chasetown, but after losing the previous weekend the players were always going to be self-motivated to go out and do their best."

While Woods has now other priorities, he was still watching his charges last night hoping for a response.

He admits they were beaten by the better side at York but was pleased with their attitude and commitment to the final whistle – with York-born Tom Corner getting a late goal against his home-town side.

That spirit and effort is something he'll naturally want the senior players to emulate in his first League Two match in charge at Bournemouth on Saturday.

Woods went on: "For the first 45 minutes last weekend, York were comfortably the better side – particularly in midfield.

"They put us under a lot of pressure and it was easy to see why they are at the top of the division and have had such a good start.

"We came in 1-0 down at the interval and were probably a touch fortunate that it was only one.

"There were a few stern words at half-time and the lads listened because it was a far more even second half.

"But York had one good attack and made it count to double their lead.

"We fought on and scored through Tom Corner with around five minutes to go.

"It set up a frantic finish and we had a go but it was too late.

"Over 90 minutes there are no arguments that the best side won, though, and hopefully it is a lesson the boys will learn from.

"They weren't awful but the poor start on the back foot made life hard and it's about getting going right from the start."