MATCH PREVIEW: Youth team in the spotlight

The Reds Youth team will take centre stage on Thursday when they entertain Whickham in the FA Youth Cup at Borough Park (7.45pm).

They will host the north east team in the Extra Preliminary Round under the floodlights with an away tie at Billingham Town awaiting the winners.

Craig Johnston’s squad have had a tough pre-season against more senior opposition but warmed-up for the U18 showpiece game with a 2-1 win at Cockermouth last week.  Joe Carney and Luke Bewsher-Canon scored the goals after Reds had gone behind.

The Young Reds have knocked out Scarborough Athletic and Hebburn Town (in normal time) over recent seasons as well as going through twice after winning on penalties against Bishop Auckland and Morpeth Town.

Interest last year ended with a 3-0 defeat at York City.

Johnston, who scored in the competition against Rotherham United and Wigan Athletic during his Carlisle United days, had a tough job selecting the squad and had some difficult decisions about who to leave out of the sixteen.

Admission:
Adult – £3, Concession – £1