Boys ready for a Stag party
Smith might field a younger team against Mansfield – if some of his players are called up for Chris Casper's Reserves, who are set to play a friendly at York City.
But 16-year-old Mulready, who has scored five goals in his last three games, is in inspirational form.
Smith, whose Youth team are unbeaten in three Youth Alliance North East Conference matches, said: "It's likely some players will play for the Reserves, so the younger lads will have to step up to the mark.
"There are no easy games in the Youth league. We've come through some tough fixtures at Burton and Bradford where the younger lads have performed.
"The last couple of weeks, since the 3-0 defeat at Darlington, the players have shown character and desire."
After scoring twice against Bradford seven days earlier, Mulready scored another double against Scunthorpe Youth on Saturday to guide the young Mariners to an impressive 3-1 away win.
Josh Fuller teed up 16-year-old Mulready for his first, while Ross Gardner's accurate pass led to his second.
Substitute Nathan Dixon put Smith's team out of sight with the third mid-way through the second-half, before Scunthorpe snatched a late consolation.
Smith said: "I was delighted with the Scunthorpe result.
"Some of the individual ability was fantastic.
"Josh Fuller was unstoppable.
"So was Sam. He has had a few second-year strikers ahead of him this season, but has taken his chance and come into the side to score some very important goals.
"We hope to keep our form up leading up to the Midlands Youth Cup semi-final against Walsall on March 8."
Town Youth lost 2-1 to Mansfield in their home fixture, when current first team boss Neil Woods was at the helm.
Smith commented: "We played well enough to win that game, but a few mistakes cost us.
"Mansfield had a few second years leave to go out on loan, which led them to suffer some heavy defeats, but they have been brought back to the club now to shore things up.
"It will be a tough encounter I'm sure."
Sam Mulready
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