Jacob Holland-Wilkinson believes the youth side’s comeback win at Salford City highlighted the resilience they have developed over the course of the season.
The U18s fell behind in the first half of Saturday morning’s North West Youth Alliance league clash but turned the game on its head after the break courtesy of a Holland-Wilkinson brace.
Aaron Bennett also got on the scoresheet to make it a 3-1 victory on the road and five games unbeaten this month.
“I think it shows the resilience of the team,” the 18-year-old said. “For the first 20 minutes we were a bit sloppy. That’s when the goal went in and then after that I think we actually really picked it up and turned it on.
“Obviously at the start of the season it’s a new group of lads and you don’t really realise each other’s strengths, but now we’ve come together a bit more as a team and realised the importance of that leadership in everyone.
“Everyone has found themselves a bit and that’s something as a team, you need leaders in the team and that’s what will help us win more games in the future.”
The striker’s two finishes made it six goals in his last five starts, whilst the young Lilywhites have now netted a total of 21 goals in their last five outings.
Holland-Wilkinson attributed both his and the team’s rich run of goalscoring form to the effort put in by all on the training pitch.
“I think it’s just hard work,” he said. “When the chance comes it’s just trying to be clinical when you can be and that something that at the minute is working for me. Trying to keep that up now is what I need to do.
“In training we work on a lot of movement in and around the box and that’s something that will allow us to score a few more goals each season and win more games. Even the movement from different players massively helps when it comes to scoring goals.
“At the minute I’m on a good run and that’s something that obviously every player wants. It’s really pleasing to be in [this form] and I just want to keep it up for as long as I can now.”
The youth side will look to round off an unbeaten March which has seen them pick up four wins and a draw so far when they travel to Carlisle on Tuesday.
“We’re expecting as usual a tough game, a game that we’re going to have to battle in,” Holland-Wilkinson added.
“We’re going to have to win first contact and if we don’t, we’re going to have to be there for the second balls.
“That’s something that we’re going to work hard for and try and get a result and try and get a win.”