U18s: Coach Robbie Liddell looks ahead to Dunfermline (A)

Our under-18s return to Club Academy Scotland League action on Friday afternoon with a trip through to Fife to face Dunfermline.

The match will kick-off at 2pm at the Dalgety Bay Sports and Leisure Centre.

Under-18s development coach Robbie Liddell provided his thoughts ahead of kick-off.

“Every time we have played Dunfermline it has been tough,” he said. “Any time we play them, it is never easy. They are well organised and competitive.

“If we are going to get anything from the game, we’ll need to be at our best to nullify them. It will be a challenge but one we will be prepared for.”

The U18s currently sit top of the CAS League, although Ayr do have games in hand.

The Perth squad is looking to back up last week’s hard-fought 2-1 win against Partick Thistle with another three points.

“I was speaking to Alistair [Stevenson] and he encapsulated it very well,” Liddell said. “Sometimes you need to be brilliant. Sometimes you need to be resilient.

“There have certainly been a couple of games recently when they have showed their resilience and the next three games – Dunfermline, Ayr and Dundee – will be tough games as well.”

A range of ages have helped the U18s to success so far this season.

And Liddell added: “I’ve been impressed with the boys week to week. We’ve had some of the second year U18s going out on loan and the younger ones have stepped up.

“There has not really been a continuity in terms of a starting team but every player has performed very well and stepped up when needed.

“There is a togetherness amongst them all. They all gel well together and support each other. That togetherness in the group is one of the biggest things you hope for.”