First year scholar Mike Howard scored the U18s first league goal of the season in a 1-1 away draw against Burnley.
The winger had started the Lilywhites’ first two league games of the season but started on the bench against Burnley, before scoring almost as soon as he came on as substitute.
On scoring the equaliser, Howard said: “I came on and wanted to make an impact straight away, that’s part of the game. We started playing really well with a high intensity in the second half after the manager spoke to us at half time and we played a lot better.
“I think when I came on it just gave us some fresh legs, so we probably had more of the ball and got more crosses into the box after that. It helped us to create more chances for the team.”
Howard had started both of the two previous matches this season against Carlisle United and Bury, regularly interchanging with Alex Wood between the right and left wings.
Therefore, Howard explained his preferred position: “I prefer to play on the left side because I’m right footed so I can cut inside that way. But I think I can play both wings and with both feet as well.”
Howard was also pleased with the way he scored – a fantastic header at the far post – against Burnley: “I’ve been practicing heading the ball in training so it was good to put that into the game.”