YOUTH FOOTBALL

MEL Gingell will be hoping to mastermind another victory tomorrow when his current crop of youngsters travel to Cambridgeshire for the first round of the FA County Youth Cup.

The Wiltshire under 18s boss missed last season's semi-final in Northumberland when he was struck down by a bout of vertigo on the coach journey north.

Gingell spent a frustrating weekend in his hotel bed as Wiltshire crashed out of the competition on penalties.

The experience has made him even more determined to enjoy another successful county cup-run, starting with a victory over Cambridge tomorrow.

Gingell travelled 320 miles earlier this month to watch Cambridge play Cornwall and he believes his side have enough quality to progress.

He said: "We had such a good run last year to get to the semi-finals but I'm hoping to go one better this time around.

"It's another very strong squad we have, made up mostly of Western League players. I think that's important because the Western League teaches players how to handle themselves.

"The first few years I was in charge we got bullied by teams from Liverpool and Birmingham. Now I think we are strong enough to hold our own."

Westbury United and Melksham Town have had to postpone their weekend fixtures due to county call-ups.

The White Horse men have four players in the county squad, Aaron Billett, Matt Sharp, Nathan Hallett and David Thompson.

Mike Perrott and Ben Thomson are the Melksham representatives.

Said Gingell: "I know it can be frustrating for Western League managers to lose their best players but they deserve a chance to play for their county.

"Westbury have the strongest youth set up in the area by some way, which is why so many of their lads are in the squad.

"Neil Hawker and Paul Brickley have done a magnificent job bringing the lads on and I hope they do Wiltshire proud."