Academy boss Dave Gardner wants the young Whites to seize their chance when they launch their FA Youth Cup challenge, _writes Pete Oliver_.
Wanderers take on Chester FC in a first-round tie at the Toughsheet Community Stadium tomorrow (Tuesday night).
The defending EFL Youth Alliance champions lost for the first time in seven league games to league leaders Grimsby Town last Saturday.
And Gardner hopes Julian Darby’s side – which is likely to show several changes from the weekend line-up – can bounce back to try and start a cup run.
“It’s a nice distraction from the league,” said the Whites' Head of Academy. “It’s just a great opportunity for the boys to play at the stadium and hopefully put in a good performance. And, you know, it's the hopes and dreams that one day they play on there for real with the first team.
“But we know it's going to be a tough game as well. Chester have done fantastic already to get this far and we've prepared for it the same as we've prepared for any other game.
“They've got some really good players there who are in and around their first team and who have come out of other academies as well, so we're under no illusions that we're in for a really tough night and they'll be as motivated as anybody would be.
“I think we're going to have to be at the top of our game and we've got to prepare right and certainly not under-estimate them.”
Injuries mean Wanderers are likely to field a number of first-year scholars in their line-up and include some under-16s in their squad to take on a Chester side which has progressed through three rounds to reach this stage – scoring 17 times and not conceding a goal in the process.
Gardiner welcomes the opportunity that will give to some of the younger members of the youth squad against the National League North club as the Whites continue to promote a pathway through their academy set-up.
And there could currently be no better flag bearer for the system than Max Conway, who has been an ever-present in League One for Steven Schumacher’s senior side so far this season and last week signed a new long-term contract to extend his stay with Wanderers.
“I think Max is just an inspiration for everyone and just real proof of where you can get to with the hard work you put in,” added Gardiner, a key figure in the full-back’s progress through the Whites' youth ranks which started as a seven-year-old.
“Me and Max have talked about his journey, which has been unbelievable to get to where he's at; the different positions he's played, the adversities he’s faced, the ups and the downs, the coaching he’s liked, the coaching he's found hard.
“You’ve got to believe in your goal and everyone's journey looks different but it's fantastic and with the way the club's going and the way the academy's going, now we've got a player that everyone can look up to.”
Tuesday night’s tie kicks off at 7pm, with admission £5 adults, £3 concessions and £1 children, payable by card only at the turnstiles in block D of the Kia West Stand Lower.