Northampton Town Under 18s coach Shane Goddard was disappointed with his side’s 2-1 defeat away to Gillingham in the EFL Youth Alliance South East on Saturday.
Leo Jenkins scored the young Cobblers’ goal as they returned to league action with a loss.
“I don’t think there was much between the two teams, other than a couple of individual errors at key times,” Goddard said.
“We didn’t run hard enough, and that’s a real disappointment because being a willing runner is a fundamental whether you play at the lowest or the highest level.
“We have to correct that, and I don’t doubt that the boys will be at it on Thursday.
“We started the season so well, but our form isn’t good enough at the minute.
“We’ve stopped being good at the basics, and we have to learn from these moments.”
The youth team host EFL Youth Alliance North East side Harrogate Town in the FA Youth Cup second round proper on Thursday evening.
Kick-off at Sixfields Stadium is at 7pm. Tickets are priced at £5 for adults and senior citizens and £2 for under 18s, and they are available from ntfcdirect.co.uk and the ticket office.
