WHICKHAM boss Terry Ritson reckons the experience gained by his young team will put them in good stead for next season when hopefully a determined push for promotion from the Second Division will be mounted.
The Glebe side are hovering around mid-table before tomorrows visit to Northallerton Town, when Ritson will probably include a fair number of teenagers.
He said: Last week I started with four 18-year olds and we gained a decent draw with Washington.
I am very pleased with the way things are going and the commitment shown by the players, which augurs well for the future.
A blow tomorrow, though, is the absence through suspension of a trio of players.
Scott Robson, Steve Robinson and Mark Patterson are all sidelined, while Adam Wilkinson is also unavailable.
However, former Chester-le-Street player Gary Andison resumes.
:: BIRTLEY Town boss Scott Oliver is not getting carried away with last weeks success only his teams fourth in 29 attempts.
However, he is reasonably optimistic they can steer clear of the two relegation positions, even though they still prop up the table
Oliver said: Nobody knows exactly what will happen, but theoretically two sides could go down.
We are still 11 points from safety but all is not lost, as we showed with last weeks victory.
Our first sights have to be on Darlington RA, who are now only three points above us and we have four games in hand.
At the very least we have to finish above them, but hopefully we can also overtake Hebburn Town.
Birtley are without Finbar Lynch, and Oliver will need to check on the fitness of Owen Peterson, Stephen Green, Martin Thompson and Scott Baxter.
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