AFC Rushden & Diamonds U18’s / Malcolm Arnold Academy do battle in the FA Youth Cup again this week.
Diamonds will face Brackley Town tomorrow (Tuesday) after a 1-0 victory over Cogenhoe United in the Preliminary Round, just under two weeks ago.
Manager Darren Purse doesn’t have any fresh injury concerns ahead of the game, and therefore goes into the game with a full strength squad, which the young Diamonds’ go into full of confidence, after their opening three victories of the season.
“We’ve started the season well. We have three wins out of three, and we can only beat the opposition we get put up against. We’ve done that well in the games we’ve played in so far.” Purse said.
The FA Youth Cup is the players’ chance to potentially play against a Football League outfit, and it’s a competition the boss desperately wants to do well in.
“I’m hoping we have a good run in the cup this year. I’m really looking forward to the game, but even more so for the second year lads. The first years will have their chance again next year.
I said to the older boys in the previous game, this is your last chance in the FA Youth Cup. If you want to have a good run in this cup this year, you need to win that game (v Cogenhoe). And it will be the same again tomorrow. It’s a competition I would like to do well in as well personally.”
The majority of the youth team have remained together as they move up into their final year of the academy. But during the off-season, there have been a couple of player departures and arrivals, for one reason or another, but Purse is more than pleased with the squad he has at his disposal.
“The nucleus of the side is second years, which is good. I’ve had a good year working with them, they had a very good season last year. Hopefully they’ll continue where they left off full of confidence, and they’ll go on to bigger and better things this year.
The school have changed their criteria a little bit for the entrance, so we’ve lost a few players who we would have liked to have kept.
I’m disappointed because I wanted to have two teams but that hasn’t materialized. So we have had to recruit half a dozen 16 year olds who are in their first year – and they’ve improved the squad. So we’re going to have one very good team and hopefully have a good run in the FA Youth Cup and have a good league season.”
Kick off at St. James Park is 7.45pm with the winners due to face Biggleswade Town at home in the second qualifying round. Entry is priced at £4 for adults and £2 for concessions.
You will be able to follow the game via the official AFC Rushden & Diamonds Twitter account @AFCRD.
Preview by Hayden Pott.
