FA Youth Cup Preview: Preston North End vs Saints

By SFC Media time Wed 01 Mar Preston North End vs Saints
Photo by Isabelle Field

Southampton’s Under-18s travel to Preston North End's Deepdale Stadium in the FA Youth Cup quarter-finals on Thursday evening, with kick-off at 7pm.

THE MATCH
Preston North End vs Saints
FA Youth Cup quarter-final
Deepdale Stadium
Thursday 2nd March, 19:00 GMT
For ticket details see below

Saints are enjoying their best run in the competition in recent history, and travel to Lancashire in a bid to reach the final four of the competition for the first time since 2006.

The talented young group reached this stage with a 3-2 win over league rivals Fulham under the lights at St Mary's Stadium at the start of February.

Their journey began in the third round with a dramatic 3-2 win over Coventry in extra-time before a dominant 4-1 win over Aston Villa at Villa Park in the fourth round.

SOUTHAMPTON, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 07:  Southampton players during the U18s FA Youth Cup match between Southampton U18s v Fulham on February 07, 2023 in Southampton, England. (Photo by Isabelle Field/Southampton FC via Getty Images)
Saints were victorious at St Mary's in the previous round

Preston North End play in the EFL Youth Alliance leagues, and also reached the last eight of the competition with a 3-2 victory.

The Lilywhites knocked out Luton Town at Kenilworth Road thanks to goals from Felipe Rodriguez-Gentile, Finlay Cross-Adair, and Kian Best.

In the previous round, Preston came from behind to knock out Gillingham away from home with Rodriguez-Gentile and Best again on the scoresheet.

Their talented 16-year-old Brazilian, Rodriguez-Gentile, made headlines in their third round victory as he scored five times in a 6-1 win over Rotherham in their opening game of the competition.

TICKET INFORMATION

Fans are encouraged to support Saints' youngsters and, for any supporters making the trip North, tickets will be on sale at the Sir Tom Finney turnstiles on the night of the game.

Adults: £5
Concessions: £1

Parking will be unreserved on the night on a first come, first served basis.

PRESTON, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 25:  A general view of Deepdale ahead of the Carabao Cup Third Round match between Preston North End and Middlesbrough at Deepdale on September 25, 2018 in Preston, England.  (Photo by Matthew Lewis/Getty Images)
Deepdale will play host to the quarter-final clash

PLAYER PREVIEW

Ahead of the quarter-final encounter current starlet Dom Ballard, who has scored five times in the competition so far, had the opportunity to talk with a Saints first team star who was part of the last squad to reach the FA Youth Cup final.

Theo Walcott, who played a key role in the 2005 run, explained:

"For me, what was good about the FA Youth Cup was playing in front of crowds, at stadiums you go to, those experiences playing in front of people meant something as well.

"[The Youth Cup] is sometimes where where a name can be found, but I think it's important not to put too much pressure on yourself and just enjoy it."

Looking ahead at the trip to Preston, Ballard said:

"I'm confident in the boys, and I'm confident in myself as well. Looking at what we're doing, playing in the B team together, it's good.

"We're building a good team there and, hopefully like [in 2005], we can go on in the competition and then play for the first team as that is our ultimate dream."

Related

FA Youth Cup quarter-final details confirmed
chevron right
Video: Doyle on cup progression video02:48
video
Preston North End vs Saints

Video: Doyle on cup progression

Kamari Doyle reacts to FA Youth Cup win.

Video: Hewlett dissects Youth Cup win U18 Highlights: Preston 1-3 Saints
Gallery: West Ham work SFC_Camera
West Ham vs Saints

Gallery: West Ham work

Saints prepare for the trip to West Ham.

time14 hours ago
B Team Preview: Derby County vs Saints Win a tour of Staplewood training ground