First team manager Chris Kiwomya was pleased with the way that his young players repaid the faith shown in them on Saturday afternoon.
Three players that have spent the majority of the season in the development squad - Academy graduates Haydn Hollis and Curtis Thompson, and former Ilkeston FC youngster Tyrell Waite - were handed starts in Saturday’s 3-1 triumph over Colchester United.
Waite set up Jeff Hughes' opener and youth team forward Romello Nangle also came off the bench to net the Magpies’ third goal in a game that gave the Meadow Lane crowd reason to be excited about the club’s future talent.
“I’m not saying it’s going to be all about youth but we want to get the young players into the team to see if they can respond,” said Kiwomya.
“The new boys that went in there did excellent and responded very well.
“It was a tough game but we came out on top and deservedly so, but I want to ask the questions of them: Are you good enough? Can you handle it?
“The fans are dying to see youngsters come through and we’ve got one or two that have got a good chance but they’ve got to take the opportunity.
“There were other experienced players on the pitch that were excellent -Liddle again, Jeff Hughes was excellent and Campbell-Ryce played well – so they’ve got to play their part in the team.”
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