The FA Youth Cup Sponsored by E.ON
Third Round Proper
Tuesday 11 December 2007
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Bristol City are hoping to maintain their ten-game unbeaten streak when they travel to Everton for their Third Round FA Youth Cup clash, at Goodison Park.
City’s best ever Youth Cup run came last season when they reached the last 16, but their Merseyside hosts, however, have a fantastic history in the competition. They have won the Cup three times and have played in seven finals.
Everton manager Ray Hall is relishing the home tie, hoping to build on the Cup record the club is rightly so proud of.
“It is the most prestigious cup competition that we have for youth players in England,” he said.
“We have always had a proud record in the Youth Cup.”
A host of star players have come through the Everton youth ranks in recent seasons. Hall’s team previously won the Cup with current first team players such as Tony Hibbert and Leon Osman.
Their most famous youth graduate, however, is now at Manchester United and a key figure for England – striker Wayne Rooney, who helped Everton reach the 2002 final.
Other Tuesday night Third Round matches feature 1997 runners-up Crystal Palace playing host to Hull City at Selhurst Park. Having won their last two games, City are flying high in the Puma Youth North East Conference division.
But the Yorkshire youngsters face a tough test against a side that play in the FA Premier Academy League against clubs such as Arsenal, Chelsea and Aston Villa.
Four-time finalists Coventry City travel to Plymouth Argyle to compete for their place in the next round.
Both sides are entering the competition at this stage looking to maintain their Youth Cup credentials. Plymouth did exceptionally well last season, beating Premier League side Wigan Athletic away in the Third Round, and were unfortunate to lost to Palace in the Fourth.
Source: Toffees target Cup run
