The FA Youth Cup Third Round sponsored by E.ON
The Shrimpers Under-18 side were to play Academy side Coventry City Under-18's in the third round of the F.A. Youth Cup Wednesday, January 12th at Roots Hall, kick-off 19.30.
The last proposed meeting was due to take place last month but was called off minutes before the kick-off due to a frozen pitch.
Head of youth Ricky Duncan told www.southendunited.co.uk: "I think everybody was was very disappointed that the previous match was postponed. It was a late, late decision; both sides were on the pitch ready to kick-off and both teams felt the conditions were playable. Understandably Coventry were upset as they had come a long way for the match and we had prepared as the game was going ahead too."
Ricky Duncan's side won the right to host the match after beating Brentford in the last round 3-0.
This will be the Sky Blues first match in this season's competition and Ricky appreciates how tough the tie will be.
Duncan continued: "We always set out in the competition to make it to the third round so it's pleasing that we have managed to do this season. Coventry are an Academy side so they will be strongest team we faced yet. Having seen a few DVD's of them they have some dangerous players so we are on it from the start from the match. With Christmas and the bad weather we have only had one match since this game was last postponed. A 3-1 win against Aldershot on Saturday has put us in the right frame of mind and hopefully we can take that confidence into this match."
Meanwhile, the Shrimpers 18-year-old striker Duane Ofori-Acheampong, who stands at a mere 6ft 4ins, will be hoping to continue his fine scoring form where he grabbed goals in the previous two rounds.
Head of youth Ricky Duncan told www.southendunited.co.uk: "I think everybody was was very disappointed that the previous match was postponed. It was a late, late decision; both sides were on the pitch ready to kick-off and both teams felt the conditions were playable. Understandably Coventry were upset as they had come a long way for the match and we had prepared as the game was going ahead too."
Ricky Duncan's side won the right to host the match after beating Brentford in the last round 3-0.
This will be the Sky Blues first match in this season's competition and Ricky appreciates how tough the tie will be.
Duncan continued: "We always set out in the competition to make it to the third round so it's pleasing that we have managed to do this season. Coventry are an Academy side so they will be strongest team we faced yet. Having seen a few DVD's of them they have some dangerous players so we are on it from the start from the match. With Christmas and the bad weather we have only had one match since this game was last postponed. A 3-1 win against Aldershot on Saturday has put us in the right frame of mind and hopefully we can take that confidence into this match."
Meanwhile, the Shrimpers 18-year-old striker Duane Ofori-Acheampong, who stands at a mere 6ft 4ins, will be hoping to continue his fine scoring form where he grabbed goals in the previous two rounds.
Duane also spoke to www.southendunited.co.uk: "The FA Youth Cup is a big competition and we always look forward to the games so tonight is no different. My family are all coming down to watch, so I'm certainly fired up to do well and I'm sure the rest of the team are as well."
The teenager has now scored 11 goals for the youth team this season, well up on last seaon, and Ofori-Acheampong puts that down to an increased workload.
Guane continued: "Last year I think I only got four or five goals, so it's going much better for me this season and I think it's because I've been working really hard. I've been playing more regularly, which helps, and my aim is to keep on doing well to try and get a professional contract and, ultimately, a place in the first team, which remains my biggest goal."
Tickets for the fixture will be sold on the day and remain at the usual price; Adults - £3, Concessions - £1.The club have now confirmed that only the East Stand Green and Blacks section will be open for the game.
The winners of the tie will play Derby County away in the fourth round, who we faced three seasons ago at Roots Hall and won that game over the young Rams 4-1.
The Full Fourth Round Draw
www.thefa.com/TheFACup/FACompetitions/TheFAYouthCup/Fixtures
Blues FA Youth Cup recent history
After a great run three seasons ago that took the Shrimpers Trust sponsored Southend youth team to the verge of the sixth round and a tie away to Manchester United, the last two competitions have seen them exit in the First Round proper.
2008/09 saw them lose to Brentford on penalties, and they certainly got revenge for that result this time around, while last season they were unlucky to be drawn away to eventual Youth Alliance Champions Millwall, where they lost 3-1.
However, they started with a good win in the First Round over the Hatters and you can read the report here:
www.southendunited-mad.co.uk/feat/edb1/fa_youth_cup_first_round southend_united_under18s_3_luton_town_under18s_1_after_extratime_
575260/index.shtml
And of course followed it up by sinking the Bees in the next stage:
www.southendunited-mad.co.uk/feat/edb1/fa_youth_cup_second_round_
southend_united_under18s_3_brentford_under18s_0_601965/index.shtml
All the results so far, including the 3rd round:
www.thefa.com/TheFACup/FACompetitions/TheFAYouthCup/Results
For more details of the competition, go here:
www.thefa.com/TheFACup/FACompetitions/TheFAYouthCup.aspx
The winners of the tie will play Derby County away in the fourth round, who we faced three seasons ago at Roots Hall and won that game over the young Rams 4-1.
The Full Fourth Round Draw
www.thefa.com/TheFACup/FACompetitions/TheFAYouthCup/Fixtures
Blues FA Youth Cup recent history
After a great run three seasons ago that took the Shrimpers Trust sponsored Southend youth team to the verge of the sixth round and a tie away to Manchester United, the last two competitions have seen them exit in the First Round proper.
2008/09 saw them lose to Brentford on penalties, and they certainly got revenge for that result this time around, while last season they were unlucky to be drawn away to eventual Youth Alliance Champions Millwall, where they lost 3-1.
However, they started with a good win in the First Round over the Hatters and you can read the report here:
www.southendunited-mad.co.uk/feat/edb1/fa_youth_cup_first_round southend_united_under18s_3_luton_town_under18s_1_after_extratime_
575260/index.shtml
And of course followed it up by sinking the Bees in the next stage:
www.southendunited-mad.co.uk/feat/edb1/fa_youth_cup_second_round_
southend_united_under18s_3_brentford_under18s_0_601965/index.shtml
All the results so far, including the 3rd round:
www.thefa.com/TheFACup/FACompetitions/TheFAYouthCup/Results
For more details of the competition, go here:
www.thefa.com/TheFACup/FACompetitions/TheFAYouthCup.aspx