We asked our U18s what word comes to mind when they hear “FA Youth Cup” as they gear up for a much-anticipated third-round tie with Bradford City at Selhurst Park on Friday (5th December, 18:00 GMT).
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First-year scholar and full-back Khyan Frazer-Williams set the tone with a confident “winner” after pausing to gather his thoughts. In-form striker David Angibeaud – who has scored five in his last six – followed by looking straight down the lens and saying “goals,” punctuated with a satisfied “yeah, yeah.”
Marauding centre-back Charlie Walker-Smith continued the theme with an emphatic “win,” while Oladotun Lamidi offered a different angle, calling the competition “an opportunity.”
Midfield anchor Euan Danaher echoed the earlier sentiment with “winners,” before Makai Bernard-Ferguson – buzzing from his recent stunner against Southampton and back-to-back goals including one against Chelsea in the Premier League Cup – couldn’t hide his excitement, choosing the word “excitement.” It was perhaps with the prospect of taking to the field alongside close friend Joel Drakes-Thomas.
First-year scholars Daniel Owoade and Remi Shittu were up next: Owoade went with “win,” while Shittu opted for “important,” reflecting the prestige of English youth football’s most storied competition. Thiago Speroni and Raihaan Anderson kept the “win” theme going, with Anderson adding a confident “trust me.”
Finally, Benji Casey – fresh from two goals in his last two for the U21s – alongside Sean Somade and Chuks Okoli, also chose “win,” rounding off a squad brimming with belief and ambition ahead of their FA Youth Cup curtain-raiser.
Crystal Palace U18s v Bradford City U18s
Tickets are delivered digitally at the point of purchase and must be downloaded to an Apple or Google Wallet for entry – click HERE to buy tickets.
Supporters who are unable to facilitate digital tickets should contact boxoffice@cpfc.co.uk, where the team can provide a PDF ticket alternative.