On a huge weekend of cup action, Robbie Herrera is hoping TUAFC’s stars of the future provide the perfect prelude to Sunday, as our U18s take on Oxford United in the FA Youth Cup 1st Round.
With preparations now heading into the last 24 hours, United’s Head of Youth is pleased with how Ryan Dickson’s charges are shaping up, ahead of the trip to Oxford City’s Marsh Lane on Saturday.
“I think we’ve got a clean bill of health, so obviously the lads and the staff are looking forward to it,” said Herrera.
“I expect Oxford to be physical, first and foremost, and they will play as well. We’ve watched a few clips of them, so we’ve got an idea if how they play, their shape and their system, so that’s been worked on over the last week, and we’ll go there looking to give a good account of ourselves.”
Last year, Torquay’s Under-18s faced a similar trip as underdogs, before impressing many with a performance of spirit and promise, as they eventually went down to EFL side Newport County 4-3 in Wales. The experience that United’s second-year prospects gained from that could well be of benefit twelve months on.
“They’ve been through it and understand it, experienced it and they will help the first-years through tomorrow. We don’t want to let ourselves down, and we want to give a good showing. It’s FA Cup football, and you know the magic of the FA Cup – anything is possible. We’re underdogs, but we’re going to give it a good go.”
Whilst last year’s cup run came under the tutelage of Chris Todd, his summer replacement Dickson – alongside his assistant Paul Bishop – have forged a new partnership that can only bode well for the Young Gulls over the next few months.
“It’s been very good. They bounce well off each other, I throw my two pennies’ worth in every now and again, but we’ve got a good little system going, they’ve done well with the players at their disposal.
“Hopefully tomorrow will be a good day for them all.”