THE next generation of TNS stars take centre stage on Sunday as the Oswestry club contest the final of the FAW Youth Cup.
The Saints travel to Broughton to take on Flint Town United with manager Simon Smith calling on his young charges to take inspiration from the club’s senior string.
TNS stand on the verge of a JD Cymru Premier and Welsh Cup double following a remarkable first full season under the management of Anthony Limbrick.
Smith said: “The first team have set the standard again of being the best in Wales and it gives everyone a lift at the club.
TNS will be playing in the Welsh Youth Cup final on Sunday.
“At a club like TNS, we have to win year in year out, so we put emphasis on the youth team players to have the same mentality.
“They need to have that winning mentality to make it into our first team and winning the youth cup would be a great achievement for these players.”
However Smith insisted the big occasion and testing his young players’ mentality in pressure games were as important as silverware come Sunday.
TNS will be playing in the Welsh Youth Cup final on Sunday.
He said: “The trophy or medal isn’t what we are striving for though, we want the players to perform in big games and whether that is enough to win the game on the day we will have to wait and see.”
Meanwhile Smith warned his players to expect a tough afternoon against the Deesiders.
“Flint will be very difficult opponents with some talented players,” he said. “They are always difficult games against Flint at any age, and as a club, they have improved a lot in the past 12 months.
“They have some excellent players and a good team spirit, and they will give 100 per cent to win the game and make it extremely difficult for us to break them down.
TNS will be playing in the Welsh Youth Cup final on Sunday.
“I think if we match their work rate and attitude we can make it difficult for them, and anything can happen in a final so we are looking forward to the game.”
Meanwhile Smith urged his players to leave everything on the pitch come Sunday afternoon and continue their development toward the first team squad.
He said: The players deserve all the credit, win or lose they have been brilliant this season and I just want them to come off the pitch at the final whistle knowing they have given everything.”
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