Harvey Griffiths scored inside eight minutes, before Nathan Fraser and Connor Ronan added to the tally, ensuring all three points went the way of the old gold. Sharps was particularly pleased to see the number of first team players who dropped down have an impact on the game, while the team remained resolute at the back to keep a first clean sheet since August.
On dealing with the elements
“I thought the lads were really good. It was a horrible night and it was coming down heavy, but they showed the right application to perform well and I thought the standard of play was really good at times.
“It was a brilliant football night, wasn’t it really? The ball moves fast on the surface and it suited our players.”
On first team players having an impact
“The lads that have been involved in the first team showed excellent attitude coming to play in the 21s and brought the game to life – we thoroughly deserved the win.
“They didn’t take it easy and got something out the game, which is a major thing for them. Connor (Ronan) scored a great goal near the end as well and it wasn’t just going through the motions. The attitude was excellent and that’s a big thing we’re looking for.”
On starting the game well
“I thought we started the game excellently. We possibly could’ve got three or four and then they had a spell near the end of the first half, but it was a pleasing way to start the game.
“We had high energy and we wanted to get after them, play the game in their half and I thought the lads did really well with that.”
On scoring three more goals
“We’re looking at it. We call it phase two in the academy – trying to finish the attack, get forward runners, more men in the box and taking your chances when you get there.
“With the quality of player we had, that helped obviously. Over the last few weeks we’ve scored a lot of goals which is really pleasing to see.”
On keeping a clean sheet
“I’m an ex-defender so I always love a clean sheet. Even against Man Utd it was individual errors and we haven’t really had teams cutting us apart which is really good to see.
“We’ve been compact, resolute and although we’ve conceded a few goals, it hasn’t really been a team thing. We’ve been working really hard on the pitch and in the analysis room on how we get better both in attack and in defence. It’s pleasing to see the lads take it all on board.”
On the attitude of the players
“They’re a good group of lads and they work hard – both in training and in games. They listen, they learn and they have their own opinion as well which is really good to see. They challenge us and that’s the atmosphere we want to keep implementing.”
