16thnov05

Wednesday 16th November 2005

More FA Cup drama for Folkestone

Folkestone Invicta youths are in the spotlight when they play at home to Chipstead youths in the Second Round Proper of the F. A. Youth Cup at the Buzzlines Stadium next Tuesday, 22nd November when the winners could draw a Premiership club in the next round, writes Richard Murrill - www.folkestoneinvicta.co.uk

Youth team manager Micky Dix has urged the club’s supporters to turn up and support his team on their big night.

"It is a really big match for us,” said Dix, “With a big prize at stake. This is similar to the F. A. Cup in its format and if we can win this one then we could draw one of the really big guns in the Third Round.

"We are 90 minutes away from going into the hat with the likes of Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool and Manchester United and these are the sort of moments you dream of,” he added.

“Some of our lads have been with the club since they were aged under ten and they have shown great passion and heart for the club.

"A part of me is disappointed that we have reached so far in the competition without yet meeting a Football League club, but then again we are now just one game away from perhaps something which would be really special for these lads”.

It has been a rollercoaster ride so far for the youth side who have won through three penalty shoot outs to reach this advanced stage of the competition.

The drama include a 7-6 shoot out success away to Wealdstone in the First Round Proper when Oliver Waters equalised with a late free kick to make it 1-1 and take the game into extra time.

The prolific Waters had scored twice when the youths won 3-2 at home to Basingstoke Town youths in the Third Qualifying Round, with an own goal completing the tally.

The youngsters had won 6-5 on penalties at home to Carshalton following a 2-2 draw after extra time and had begun the competition with a 5-4 home shoot out win over Croydon following a 3-3 draw after extra time.

Manager Dix will now have to juggle his side as many of the youth side also play for the reserves who have a top-of-the-table clash at home to Sevenoaks Town reserves on Saturday and then the youths also have a fixture on Sunday morning.