Young Cod Army travel to Hartlepool United
Youth team manager Nathan Rooney previewed Tuesday night’s FA Youth Cup first round tie away to Hartlepool to the Club’s official website.The Young Cod Army have been drawn to face Pools at Victoria Park, and will travel to the North East in confidence after an impressive start to the league campaign.
Town reached the third round stage of this competition last season, having beaten both Accrington Stanley and Sheffield United before bowing out to Sunderland.
Rooney said: “The FA Youth Cup is a really prestigious competition. I’m hoping it’ll keep it fresh for the lads throughout the season so I want us to do really well at the first hurdle.
“The intention is to always better what you’ve left behind. The lads understand that it’s a game of football and they’re all preparing properly.
“The second years have had a little taste of that pathway they got last year, and the main intention for us this year is getting the senior members of staff watching us grow.
“Hartlepool will be a well prepared side and will be well drilled. They come from the environment where they’ll probably leave everything on the pitch.
“They’ve always seemed to have done well within the youth system and produced players along the way, but we expect them to throw everything at us.
“The message over the last few days has just been that of excitement. We’re raring to go and for me now I think the lads know how to apply their roles.
“I want the players to extend the season and not just compete in one league, let’s have a taste of something different as well and go out there and play with freedom.”
The game will kick off at Victoria Park at 7pm.
Ticket prices at £5 for adults and £3 for all others.