The Development Squad travel to Manchester today to take on FC United of Manchester reserves. With no game since the 13-3 demolition of Workington a few weeks ago the squad will be keen to carry on where they left off against one of the early front runners in the Lancashire League West Division.

FC will provide a tough test for Pilkington’s side having made an unbeaten start in the West Division following their switch from the East Division pre season. They had an excellent first season in the League last year as they won the East Division Title and also the league’s cup competition.

The Coasters will be without Regan Linney, Jake Higham, Cory Bent and Jack Williams who are on county duty following their call ups to the Lancashire FA side whilst Joey Mullen and Danny Forbes continue their loan spells at Bamber Bridge and Kendal respectively whilst Ryan Charnley is likely to be called up to the first team squad for the FA Cup trip to Bradford Park Avenue.

Ahead of the game Pilkington said, “We go into the game on the back of a fantastic result and performance against Workington a few weeks ago and also the FA Youth Cup victory on Monday night. Several of that squad have been rewarded for their effort and will travel to Manchester with us on Saturday.

We will have a few missing for the game for various reasons, which is frustrating, but I’m in a fortunate position where we can call upon a bank of fantastic Academy and Youth Team players who demonstrated what they can do on Monday night in the Youth Cup so some will get the opportunity to be involved his weekend.”

The game is being players at Manchester College’s Nichols Campus and is a 2pm Kick Off.