- Jul 28, 2004
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From the OS:
Anyone going to this? Tickets only £3, to be purchased at the gates.
I'm thinking of going, only 10 minutes away and hoping to see a few more yids there!
Our Under-18s step back into FA Youth Cup action with a fourth round tie against Charlton Athletic at The Valley tomorrow night (Wednesday January 14, 7pm).
It's the lads first match for over a month against a Charlton side that returned to action at the weekend, losing 4-2 at Leicester City.
Alex Inglethorpe's team were in a fine run of form pre-Christmas and a 4-0 win against Cardiff City last time out on December 13 made it six wins and 33 goals in their last seven matches in all competitions.
They remain top of Group B of the FA Premier Academy League having lost just once in 15 matches, scoring 45 goals.
The recent run included a 3-0 win against Sheffield United in the third round of the FA Youth Cup at the Lane on December 2.
For Alex, it's the chance for the lads to further their experience on the big stage but, as ever, he remains focused on the bigger picture of Academy football - the development and hopefully progression of players.
"We played Charlton at the start of the season and it was a goalless draw, a very competitive game and they will be very strong," said coach Alex.
"They played at the weekend so they will be slightly ahead of us in terms of match action.
"It's at their place, it's a one-off game and anything can happen but our season can't be defined by the FA Youth Cup.
"I keep saying it - it would be great to do well in the competition, it's the one everyone looks at - but ultimately we have a lot more going on as an Academy than this game and this competition.
"The incentive to progress is to get the next game, the next challenge at wherever we're drawn, the chance for the players to play under pressure when they are playing at a stadium, in front of a crowd. That's what they need."
Anyone going to this? Tickets only £3, to be purchased at the gates.
I'm thinking of going, only 10 minutes away and hoping to see a few more yids there!