Shotts boss John McKeown says youngsters have to be given a shot at Hannah Park as they look to the future.
The West of Scotland Football League Conference A side’s season is petering out after a Kilmarnock Pie League Cup exit to Premier Division champions Darvel, with Arthurlie already wrapping up their division.
But they are going out in style and won 4-0 against Lugar thanks to doubles by Craig Hastings and Kyle Richford.
Young players from the club’s U20s side are being used in these matches and a final chance to impress McKeown comes in their season finale at Muirkirk Juniors on Saturday.
Runners-up is already guaranteed but it has given starlets at Shotts a chance.
McKeown said: “It’s been dead rubbery for a while! But we are looking at the kids for next season. Some of the U20s are getting their opportunity in these games.
“At a club like Shotts, where you don’t have the resources or finances of some other clubs, we have to promote from within. There’s no point in us having an U20s team or an academy if the pathway is shut. We are very early in that pathway.
“The Darvel game was a good experience for them as there aren’t many in the WOSFL with standards like them.
“We have had a decent season even though it has come off the rails a bit at the end. We’ve been in two quarter-finals and second in the league. It isn’t a disaster but our focus is now on preparing for next season.
“I feel as if we have been progressing every year I have been here and we will hopefully continue to do that.”
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