Under-18s coach Neil Redfearn has been quick to praise his young charges after a terrific start to 2012.

The under-18s kicked off the New Year with three successive wins and last weekend's 1-0 success against Barnsley was enough to lift the lads up to second place in the table.

"They've done ever so well," said Neil. "They've come on leaps and bounds.

"They've listened to what we've tried to get across to them, and they've got an unbelievable work ethic.

"They've got a good fitness programme which they work on and they can get about the pitch and that's vital in modern day football."

Already this season, Zac Thompson, Alex Cairns and Nathan and Lewis Turner have all made the step up from the under-18s to senior football, and the reserve side this week featured more youngsters against Celtic.

"Sam Byram played right back against Celtic and looked like he'd been there all season," added Redfearn.

"Ross Killock did ever so well at centre-back and the Turners have been around the team all season, and have done well.

"It bodes well that these youngsters are around and are doing well."

See the under-18s in action on LUTV on Wednesday...