Young Magpies to fly flag for Berkshire in FA Youth Cup third round tie

Maidenhead United U18s will fly the flag for Berkshire when they play their rearranged FA Youth Cup third round tie at Oxford United on Friday (December 20), 7.30pm kick-off.

The young Magpies had been due to play the tie on December 10 but the game was called off due to bad weather and is now taking place on Oxford City’s 3G surface.

Admission is £5 for adults and £2 for concessions.

United are now the county’s sole representative in the competition following Reading FC u18s elimination at the hands of Crystal Palace last week.

Maidenhead have eased through the rounds to reach this stage, defeating Boreham Wood, Cray Wanderers, Kingstonian and Ware and are now looking to reach the fourth round of the competition for the first time in the club’s history.

Speaking to the Football in Berkshire website, joint manager Christian Parker said:

“It is a great achievement from all the players involved in the squad to reach this stage for a second season running and, given that it is the furthest the club have ever got, it helps put the club on the radar of league clubs, giving our lads the potential opportunity to go on and progress with professional academies.”

 “The Youth set up is about developing and progressing players to go and play at the highest standard they can and if that is away from Maidenhead then we will not stand in their way. However, we are also looking to help the management team in recruiting players for the first team.

“The gap between the first team and youth team has closed over the years with more of the boys being given the opportunity to play in the first team.

“This was shown recently in the Berks & Bucks County FA Senior Cup when no fewer than six were involved; one playing 90 minutes and keeping a clean sheet and three other lads getting a considerable amount of playing time and creating an assist.”

Parker added: “We all look forward to Friday’s game against Oxford and would welcome any Magpies supporters coming along to support the boys and help them reach the next stage of the competition for the first time in the club’s history.”