After successfully seeing off Witton Albion in last night’s FA Youth Cup tie at Kellamergh Park, manager Stewart Clitheroe was delighted with the way his side performed on Monday night but was full of praise for the opposition as well.

“We flew out of the traps and were 2-0 up within the first three minutes and the boys did really well but once they settled, they came back into the game to be fair off a worldy strike.

“But I thought our quality shone through in the end and with the 13 shots we had in the first half really we should have had more. We made it tough for ourselves but that’s young lads for you and they’ll learn.”

Clitheroe felt that this Witton side was better than the side they played last season at the same stage of this competition adding: “To be fair coming back from 2-0 down after three minutes any team could have rolled over and died but they stuck to their guns and made it a really tough game right to the end.

“We kept telling our lads that it wasn’t over right through the game and we progressed on and I think our football showed in the end.”

Mullen was given man of the match by the watching crowd but Clitheroe was quick to point out other players who impressed during the game. “I thought the two centre halves did really well against some good, quick, attacking footballers, but the front three of Regan, Cory and Ryan will damage any team and they showed that with the goals that they scored.

“And it was another really good performance from Jack Williams who did everything but score, hitting the post three times and getting in the way of one and on another day he could have had three himself.”

Stewart can’t wait for the next round now as his side will host either Brighouse Town or Guiseley in what is a fantastic opportunity for this side to reach the First Round Proper of this competition.

“I’m hoping that it’s a good omen for us. Teams are not going to want to come here as anybody watching us will know that going forward, on our day, nobody will beat us. It’ll take a good club to knock us out of this competition if we perform to our highest standard.

“Hosting the next round also means is a great opportunity for the lads to reach the First Round as for any footballer this is the pinnacle of their career, whether that be the U18’s in this competition or the older lads playing in the FA Cup.”

The Second Qualifying Round tie will be played in early October at Kellamergh Park.