SWINDON Town U18 manager Alan McLoughlin is anticipating a thorough test of his young side when they host their Newport County counterparts this morning.

The two sides meet in the South West Division of the Youth Alliance League at Stanley Park today (11am), with Town boasting a 100 per cent record from their opening three fixtures, having come back from a two goal half-time deficit last weekend to beat Exeter City 3-2.

Despite Newport having failed to record a win in their opening two fixtures, McLoughlin will not be taking Byron Anthony’s side lightly, who snuck into the Merit League One last season on goal difference, before going unbeaten to walk the division, with Swindon finishing 10 points behind in second place.

“Newport did fantastically last year,” said McLoughlin.

“They managed to get into the Merit League last year and then Byron, who is their coach, managed to fashion them into not losing a game and they won the league.

“We’re expecting a tough fixture this week.

“It’s at Stanley Park this weekend and I think if we play in the same form and same dynamic way as we did in the second half against Exeter at the weekend, I’d like to think we have more than an even chance of winning the game.

“But, they are young players and it is unpredictable how they will perform and that is the beauty of development football.

“I think I know the group I have got now, if they perform to their maximum, I’d like to think they can win the game.”

Despite only being three games into the new season, McLoughlin has his sights set on qualifying for the Merit League One again by finishing in the top six of the Youth Alliance League.

And despite having a large proportion of first year scholars this year, as well as competing with other Category Three sides with much bigger budgets, McLoughlin is happy with how well his side compete.

“I’m pleased with what we do and how we go about our business but the important thing for me is that we get into the Merit League,” he added.

“I’m very happy with the group, considering at the start of the season I had nine or 10 first year scholars.

“They need to get to the tempo and psychologically understand what it is about to be in a football environment week in, week out.

“They’re just starting to understand that and I’d like to think, in a coupld of months time, they’ll be better akin to what the requirements are.

“For us to do as well as we have been doing, I’m really pleased for everyone in the academy.”