Sam’s Section: “There’s plenty more to achieve” for Dursley U18s as Price and Spill look to build on title win
Dursley Town u18s coach, Brad Price, believes his side still have more to achieve after they were crowned the Cheltenham Youth Floodlit League South champions on Tuesday night.
“It’s a great feeling. It’s just what the lads deserve as they’ve been worked hard all season, and they’ve finally got over the line.
“They’ve achieved everything,” Price said.
He added: “Yes, we made hard work of it but it’s never an easy place to come is it Slimbridge. They’ve had some cracking results this year.
“A lot was riding on the game tonight, but the lads turned up and they battled hard. You’re always going to have to battle, and they got their rewards towards the end getting the goal.
“I can’t knock them really tonight.”
It had already been a successful few season’s for the club as a whole with the men’s sides earning titles and promotions.
Now Price’s side added themselves into the clubs history books sealing their first league title, but Price believed the side had done more for the club besides winning the title.
“It’s massive for the club. A lot of these lads are progressing into the first team and their not just making an appearance they’re actually making a difference for them.
“That’s what we set up to do from the start, bring through all these youngsters through into the first team and it’s proven well worth it I think.,” he said.
One of the players that has made the difference for Price has been top scorer, Spill, who netted the winning goal to seal the title and his 28th of the season.
But the whole campaign could’ve been different for Dursley as Spill almost chose against joining the side, but Price has enjoyed working with the forward and believes he made the correct decision.
“He’s Joey Spill. He’s so easy to manage, he turns up willing to grind it out. He’s a strong hold up player.
“He actually took a bit of convincing to come and join us in the summer but I’m glad he made the right decision, and I think he is.
“He’s enjoyed his season at Dursley, and he’s been a great asset to the side,” he said.
Enjoying the season was Price’s hope and Spill confirmed his pride for playing for the club and puts the sides morale down to his happiness and the title win.
“Last year Brad was trying to get me to come along and play for the 18s. I wasn’t too keen last year I’ll be honest but this year I was up for it, and I’ve enjoyed it ever since. I’m glad I did it.
“It’s my last year of under 18s so I thought why not, and it’s been going well thankfully.
“We’re all good mates, we all get along, there’s not one person who gets left out, so I think that’s helped us to win this league, getting along and having good team morale,” Spill said.
And Spill’s performances in recent weeks has earned him a place in the Severn Sport Team of the Month for March whilst also being up for the Player of the Month.
With that sort of recognition Spill set out his aims and goals for next season as he embarks on his new journey into men’s football.
“It’s more about keep doing what I’m doing. I think I’m on 28 goals for this season so hopefully I can get 20, 30 goals again and just see what comes,” he said.
Dursley still have one league game to go next Thursday when they travel to Fairford Town u18s and can head into the fixture with a weight of a title lifted off their shoulders.
“I’ve told them to go out and enjoy it.
“Tonight was a cagey affair, difficult to make changes but Fairford away, we’ve said to all the subs who didn’t get on they’ll be playing 90 minutes next week.
“We’ve got a cup final and the playoffs coming up so, there is still plenty to play for,” Price said.
And as the season draws to a close, attention may be turning to holidays and a break, but it’ll also change to looking ahead at next season.
Heading into next season, Price hopes that his side can continue to be competitive and also keep seeing his players get their chances in the first team.
“It’s difficult with this side here, it’s always a building process but there’s still half a squad there that can go into next season.
“Hopefully we can continue to keep pushing and bring through these youth players to the first team at Dursley, that’s the end goal,” he said.
Follow Sam Yapp on Twitter (X) @SJY_Journo for more
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