Academy Manager Keith Brown is looking forward to another special night in the FA Youth Cup when the Reds welcome Bristol City tonight.
The sides meet at the Store First Stadium in the fourth round of the competition, with Stanley looking to add the Robins to their list of victims in their successful run in the competition.
“It’s another exciting encounter for the group of players and one that they are very much looking forward to,” explained Brown. “I always say that in order to progress and develop you must play against good opposition and test yourself and Bristol City will give us that challenge.
“I’m sure the players are very much looking forward to that challenge that’s ahead of them.
“I think it’s fair to say that they’ve already achieved something that one or two of them might not of thought was possible but it’s just proved that the standard of player we have coming through the Academy here is high.
“That’s a credit to the coaching staff right through the Academy. Everyone works really hard to strive to bring through talented players and the credit must go to everyone involved in doing that.”
The young Reds have already beaten Carlisle and Ilkeston in the Youth Cup and enjoyed a spectacular third round win over Premier League outfit West Ham at the Store First Stadium.
“These nights are special nights, especially for these young lads,” he continued. “Playing in front of good crowds and against good opponents is an essential part of their journey to becoming professional players. Every person who comes through the gate can help the boys to get the result that we’re looking for.
“They will have done their homework with regards to watching some of our previous games as we’ve done with them but it’s a matter of making sure we stick to our game plan and do our jobs properly.
“I’m a big believer that you win games by winning your individual battles and if we do that then I’m sure we’ll go on and get a positive result.
The winners of tonight’s tie will travel to Reading in the last 16 but Brown isn’t getting carried away with any thoughts of the next round.
“I think it’s very important just to take each game as it comes. You can’t look too far ahead. If you start doing that you can lose focus and I’m a big believer in making sure you do everything right preparation-wise for each game and then start looking ahead when you know the outcome.”
