Callum Lenton was pleased with the youth team’s general performance in their 1-1 draw against Morecambe, but feels there is room for improvement at both ends of the pitch
Precieux Ngongo’s early strike was soon cancelled out by Tyler Brownsword’s equaliser with North End unable to capitalise on their dominance as the two sides were made to share the points.
The 17-year-old ‘keeper felt there was work to be done in the goalkeeping and defensive departments but was confident more befitting results would follow with better finishing at the top end of the field.
“I thought the game went very well but we’re obviously disappointed that we conceded becaue we were hopeful that we were going to keep a clean sheet,” the young goalkeeper told PNE.com.
“It was two good teams, Morecambe played very well but we dominated through the whole game, we just need to start scoring our chances to win games.
“They had a good chance in the second-half as well where the lad has struck it an it’s smashed against my chest. I’m a ‘keeper and I’ve got to put my body on the line to keep those goals out but unfortunately I couldn’t do that for the goal.
“We had more possession and we popped it around them when we had our chances. They gave some free-kicks away and we had those chances too, but unfortunately, we couldn’t take them.
“We need to improve our defending as well for the next couple of games. We’ve got two games left and hopefully we can keep some clean sheets, defend well and get some wins.”
Lenton is enjoying working with fellow youth team shot stopper James Cottam but with the youth team’s next game a Lancashire FA Youth Cup semi-final against Oldham Athletic on Tuesday afternoon, the pair are set to compete for a place.
However, Lenton says they are always supportive of each other, no matter who is wearing the gloves on matchday.
“I take my hat off to James, he’s a brilliant ‘keeper. From my point of view, I just need to start keeping the ball out of the net more often. It’s a case of practising and working on that in training.
“Recently, I feel better and more confident in myself that when I get my chance to play, I can prove to the manager and the rest of the staff that I can handle myself in the games.
“Sometimes I might play a different way to James and he might play a different way to me, it just depends on how each game is on the day.
“We will see how we train in Monday and then come Tuesday, we will see who is on the teamsheet but whether I’m in goal or James is in goal, we will support each other, that’s how it works, it’s a goalkeeping union.
“I think we’re feeling strong as a team. We’re obviously creating the chances in games and hopefully, come Tuesday, we can win the game, score some goals and hopefully keep a clean sheet.”