WANDERERS Under-18s had a mixed season but there were still plenty of positives for coach David Lee.

With many of his former charges at youth level getting their first-team break this season, there was plenty for Lee to be enthused about.

The likes of Zach Clough and Tom Walker from the heralded youth side that thumped Tottenham 8-4 at White Hart Lane in 2013 are now impressing at senior level under boss Neil Lennon.

And along with the likes of Josh Vela, Oscar Threlkeld and Andy Kellett – the production line continues to provide a source of pride for all the staff at the Eddie Davies Academy.

In a difficult season for the U18s, Blackpool-born striker Jamie Thomas was one of the big plus points with 15 goals – including two in the final game at Southampton on Saturday.

The 18-year-old was the main goal threat for Lee's men, reaching double figures and also figuring several times for Iain Brunskill's Under-21 development squad – netting the winner just last week against Blackburn Rovers.

As Lee repeatedly states, the main focus of the academy side is to nurture talent for the first team and this season has proven just that with Clough and Walker in particular.

It often means results are not as consistent but there was still lots to encourage the coach this season.

The team began the FA U18 Premier League campaign with a goalless draw away at Manchester United and followed that impressive result up with a 5-1 home triumph against Blackburn – that man Thomas netting four on the day.

After that bright start, however, the teenage side would win just once in their next 12 outings – 3-1 at Newcastle.

The run included heavy home defeats against Middlesbrough (6-0) and Manchester City (7-0) as they went on a winless league run into the new year.

Just prior to the Christmas break, though, they put in a fine display at Portsmouth in the FA Youth Cup to progress to Round Four thanks to a solitary Thomas strike.

But the low point of the campaign would come in the next round when they were comprehensively beaten 5-0 at Crewe Alexandra in front of watching first-team boss Lennon.

They dusted themselves down and their barren league run ended in fine fashion in the very next game with a 6-4 home win against Liverpool and while the victories remained few and far between, Lee's youngsters also beat Arsenal 2-1 in the second half of the season and drew 0-0 with Manchester City.

Results-wise it was a disappointing season but the development of talent like Thomas bodes well for the future.