A place in the Fifth Round of the FA Youth Cup is up for grabs when Fulham Under-18s travel to Dorchester to face Exeter City U18s on Thursday evening, 7:30pm kick-off.
Ali Melloul’s side haven’t played a competitive fixture since the last round of the Youth Cup, all the way back on December 1st, as our Young Whites dispatched Notts County 4-0 at Meadow Lane.
The youngsters have been keeping busy during this break from competitive action though – and only returned from the REWE Junior Cup in Göttingen on Monday afternoon. Our U18s spent five nights in central Germany, allowing for some quality bonding time and an opportunity to play against quality European opposition in small-sided games.
The Opposition
This tie was initially scheduled to take place at St James Park but has been moved due to remedial work taking place on the Grecians’ home surface. The 4G pitch at Dorchester Town’s Avenue Stadium may take some getting used to.
Exeter’s Youth Cup run has been faultless so far. They’ve played three matches, scored seven goals and are yet to concede in the competition.
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The Grecians saw off lower league opposition in Bridgwater United and AFC Dunstable to reach the Third Round, recording 2-0 and 4-0 wins at St James Park. Those victories set up a tie with Stevenage, with the Grecians winning 1-0 at the Lamex Stadium, a victory even more impressive when you consider that Stevenage are 12 places above Exeter in the Youth Alliance South League and have only lost one game in their division all season.
Four of the starting XI from the win in Hertfordshire - Louis Cayless, Liam Oakes, Kieran Wilson and Theo Cutler – have made their First-Team debuts in the Vertu Motors Trophy this season.
Exeter have never made the Fifth Round of the FA Youth Cup – and a home tie against either Arsenal or QPR is the prize that awaits the winner of this contest.
Tickets
Fulham fans can back our youngsters at the Avenue Stadium, with tickets available to purchase on the evening of the match at Dorchester.
Adult tickets cost £6, while concessions can watch the action for £4.
Coverage
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