The Spanish outfit travelled to the New Bucks Head on Wednesday evening with a much older and more experienced squad, while Collins was once again missing the core of his starting eleven with players away on first team duty.
However, this has presented opportunities for players in younger age groups, with the likes of Fabian Reynolds, Marvin Kaleta and Fil Mabete all starting the game. Meanwhile, Caden Voice and Fraser Harper (both 16) came off the bench, along with 15-year-old Conor McLeod. The old gold battled right to the final whistle and although they were just edged out in the end, Collins was delighted with the attitude shown against tough opposition.
On showing spirit and drive
“I think proud is the right word. To turn up tonight with 10 of our players away in Marbella with the first team against a men’s team all in their 20s, I think they only had one or two players that were 19 or 18.
“I think we ended the game with three 16-year-olds on the pitch, maybe even a 15-year-old.
“I’m delighted with the spirit we showed, the effort we put in and the drive. We stayed in the game – at times it was tough and I would’ve liked us to show a bit more quality, but we didn’t half compete and show spirit.
“That spirit allowed us, with 10 minutes to go, to still be in the game. You never know – if you get a corner or a moment, you might just nick an unlikely draw. I’m really proud of them.”
On the fine margins from set pieces
“They had the better chances, don’t get away from that. They score from a corner and we had a really clever corner that Jack (Hodnett) just hit over the bar. They’re the fine lines and in league football that’s how you win and lose games.
“We competed very well on the set pieces, but we conceded from a corner which was the same as the Porto game. We’ve lost two games in this competition 1-0 and both goals have been set pieces which is disappointing.
“However, it’s hard when you’ve got a younger team against a team in their mid-20s. But, as I say, I’m delighted with the spirit we showed.”
On what the younger players will take from these experiences
“Hopefully they’ll take a bit more of what real football is about. Academies are brilliant and our academy is brilliant, but the games are about development and very possession-based. Maybe not as much emphasis is put on second balls, competing, blocks and headers.
“When they go on their first loan or go with the first team, that matters. Hopefully they’ll learn that’s what we’re here to do.
“I’ve said to them that it’s an opportunity for them to make an impact and stay in my memory. That’s what they’ve got to try and do and they’re having a good go at that.”
On 15 and 16-year-olds stepping up
“It’s credit to all the work that’s gone on in the academy down below that these boys, at 15 and 16 years of age, can come in, handle it and have moments of excellent play.
“It’s not easy to play at 15/16 in men’s football, which is what it is. They’ve shown a great attitude, they want to listen and they’ve taken on the tactics.
“The future is bright for these boys, but maybe it’s come a bit earlier than we thought it might – it’s a great experience for them and they seem to be grabbing it.”
