JOEL Pilkington has been making a real impact in his second year at Turf Moor, both at reserve and youth team level.

The teenager has moved from playing at full back to a central midfield position and he has blossomed in the new role.

And he admitted that playing alongside fellow youth player Andrew Waine at reserve level had been a boost.

"It has been a good experience and I think we have built a good partnership, got a good understanding going," he said. "I don't mind where I play but it is nice to get forward and I like to see a lot of the ball and maybe score a few goals."

Such has been his progress that he has even been handed the captain's armband by reserve team boss Ronnie Jepson. He explained: "I was made captain against Wrexham after Mitchell (Thomas) went off and that was great although I was a bit surprised."

Like the rest of Terry Pashley's squad, Pilkington has been working hard to convince the management he should be kept on and he has had some memorable moments on the way.

"I played against Bolton in a friendly game when they had Michael Ricketts and Youri Djorkaeff playing," he said. "I have also played against a Manchester United side that had Andy Cole and Dwight Yorke in it."

Pilkington was not in action for the youth team at Oldham on Saturday as there was a reserve game last night and also one tomorrow.

As a result Pashley fielded a young side and he was disappointed with their display, especially the way they started the game.

"In the first half they never got out of the blocks and that has happened a few times with the younger players," he said. "We were 2-0 down at half-time and although we improved in the second half we did not make many chances despite having a lot of the ball.

"We did well to a certain point but did not offer a great threat on goal. But I have told then lads that they will get other chances this season to put that right because there are a lot of reserve games to play so we will have to keep playing the younger ones."

The remaining fixtures for the youth team this season have been announced and they will start with a home game against Bradford City on Saturday.

The remaining games are: Saturday, March 23 Carlisle United (h); Saturday, March 30 Shrewsbury Town (a); Saturday, April 13 Mansfield Town (h); Saturday, April 20 Chester City (a); Wednesday, April 24 York City (h); Tuesday, April 30 Grimsby Town (h).