MURRAY United will continue with its youth policy when it tackles the winless Brunswick City at La Trobe today.
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It will be the first time the Border’s fledgling premier league team tackles a team from the western conference.
NPL1 is spilt into east and west conferences — teams on the same side of the draw playing each other twice and the teams from the other conference just the once.
United goes into the game off the back of its first win last Sunday, while Brunswick is yet to register a point despite only losing 3-2 to Melbourne City last week.
Coach Mick Richards isn’t reading too much into the formline.
“I had a look at that game and they were pretty competitive against the City side,” he said.
“We can’t underestimate anyone.
“Last week we showed great fight and we’ll be looking to carry that spirit and confidence into the clash at home.
“Both Dan Millynn and Alex West are available after missing last week, but there are a few worrying niggles about and we will wait to see how everyone is before settling on a starting line-up.
“I’d expect, based on Sunday’s result, that we would probably stick with the kids who stepped up last week.”
United started last Sunday with four players eligible for the under-20s — Melkie Woldemichael, Ben Chaffey, Angus Kelly (U18) and Darcy Pawlik.
Tom Morrison, who provided the cross for Zac Walker to seal the game, was brought on in the second half, while West can also play in the 20s.
Richards said the club was gradually building depth and experience.
“We have had some great news with Josh Mulcahy and Ryan Giles expected to be back in the next four weeks and we have these young guys proving they can match it in Premier League,” he said.
“We are headed in the right direction.”
Murray United’s juniors will play their first home game tomorrow.
The under-12 and under-13 will start proceedings at 10.30am against Dandenong City.