Met youngsters continue to make Youth Cup history

[FF News]

The Metropolitan Police's young stars are looking forward to flying the Ryman League's flag in the fourth round of the FA Youth Cup after knocking out Burnley at Turf Moor.

And Worthing's U18s will be hoping to join them by making more history for the Ryman South's Rebels on Wednesday night when they host Middlesbrough in the third round at the Photronix Stadium.

Met Police keeper Kallum Lunn ensured his side's fairytale run continued on Monday night, the stopper saving two spot kicks in a 6-5 win on penalties after the teams were deadlocked at 2-2 after 120 minutes of football.

Despite the five divisions between the clubs' senior sides and going behind to an early goal, a Luke Brant penalty and a Ben Marett leveller in the last minute of extra-time ensured Lunn got his chance to emerge as the night's hero for the second tie in succession after saving a sudden death spot-kick at Yeovil's Huish Park two weeks ago to send Stuart Searle's side through.

On the way to the fourth round, the Met had already accounted for Hampton & Richmond Borough, Knaphill and Folkestone Invicta in the qualifying rounds before needing extra-time and penalties to beat Dulwich Hamlet's youngsters.

Met Police manager Jim Cooper hailed the club's youngsters ahead of the draw for the fourth round on Friday.

Cooper told the club's website: "I would probably say that their result has to go down as the best ever result for any Met Police side in our 96 year history and with a little bit of luck, the draw on Friday will be kind and offer the boys a dream game against one of the Premier League sides.

"Our club has a great future if we continue to show faith in the local youth players. The boys in this current side have a fantastic future in the game."

Worthing, who've never progressed beyond the first round previously, dispatched Biggleswade Town with a 4-3 win in Bedfordshire to set up their third round clash with Middlesbrough.

Before that the Rebels recorded victories over Loxwood, Wick & Barnham, Leatherhead and Burgess Hill Town in the qualifying round and beat Sutton United 4-3 after extra-time in the first round proper. Along the way, they've scored 29 goals.

Source: www.isthmian.co.uk

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