IF ANYONE in the Town team is aware of competition for places, it's Anthony Lloyd.
The 19-year-old has got better and better in the left wing-back position and marked his 12th start, against Boston, with a first career goal.
His proud parents, Steve and Jenny, were there to see it - they don't miss a match home or away - and they will be hoping their son can keep hold of a first-team shirt.
To do that, he will have to repel two senior professionals who have also done well on the left this season - skipper Rob Edwards and talented Tony Carss.
"I am loving every minute at the moment and to score my first goal is obviously the highlight for me so far," said Lloyd, who lives in Pontefract.
"It's great that so many of the Academy lads are in the first team, because we all know each others game so well, and the manager and coach have been really good to me."
Terry Yorath grabbed Lloyd as he left the pitch last Saturday while Jackson spoke to him in the dressing room.
"Taff just said it was a great goal and that I had to keep it going, while the manager gave me a big hug and some words of encouragement as well, so it was great," he said.
"It was a brilliant ball through by Steady and I just had to concentrate on hitting the back of the net.
"The shot went through the keeper's legs, so it was a bit of a nightmare for him, but it was a great moment and I was trying to spot my mum and dad in the stand when all the lads came in and jumped on me.
"I thought before the game for some strange reason that I was going to score and when it came off, I was thrilled, really ecstatic.
"The gaffer has kept encouraging me to get forward and try for goal and, now that I've got one, I'll hopefully get some more."
Having come through the Academy, Lloyd knows nothing can be taken for granted, especially as three of Town's next four games are away from home.
"There's a lot of hard work ahead for me and for the team," he said.
"I know there are people like Rob Edwards and Carssy waiting to come back in the side, but if I keep up my form then hopefully I can stay in the team. We are all friends, but I'm aiming to stay in, just as much as they want to get back.
"For the team, we are in sixth at the moment and I reckon automatic promotion is a possibility, especially if we can keep this run going.
"Three points for a win makes a massive difference when you are in good form like us, and I reckon that with the way things are buzzing for us, we are sure to make the play-offs.
"We will have to work hard, because a lot of teams don't take us on with the intention of playing football, they just want to stop us, but if we keep up our workrate we can deal with that because of all the good players we've got in our side."
