To get there, City youngsters have played three rounds already, beating Lichfield City 4-1 (in the preliminary) , Stratford Town 2-0 and Stafford Rangers 3-0 (in the 1st and 2nd Round Qualifying respectively). City will be looking to reach the 1st Round for the first time since 2013 when the team made it through to the 2nd Round before going out at Sheffield United.

City's under 18's play in the Southern Premier Division of the MFYL and have two wins from two matches. Rugby Town are in the Northern Premier Division and have won one, lost one.

There are 5 divisions of Floodlit teams, those two plus the Western, Southern, Eastern Divisions. The City squad is made up of players who are 16 through to 18 and is seen as the stepping stone between the youth teams (U8s to U16s) and the Reserves pushing into the First Team. Many of these young guns have been with the club before their teens and now they also play in the Reserves on a Saturday.

But what’s the FA Youth Cup all about?

“Since coming into being in the 1952/53 season, The FA Youth Cup has mirrored the importance of its parent competition, becoming the most desirable trophy among all under-18 sides across the country, retaining that premier position throughout all the changes that youth football has undergone over the last half a century and more.” From the FA website:
HISTORY OF THE FA YOUTH CUP

It’s a highly prestigious competition for the City youth players but also the club. The victors of Friday night’s match will go into the First Round Proper, which will involve EFL Leagues One and Two sides. The winners on Friday will face Burton Albion Academy away.

More than the FA Youth Cup is the illustration of how Worcester City Youth setup is looking. This is about the future of the club and the pipeline of talent that is homegrown. City U18 coach Steve Humphrys said, “We expect the lads to go out and enjoy themselves, first and foremost - show us what they are about. They have been asking questions of the opposition all season, we’re just asking them to go out and do the same thing on Friday. What we’re looking for is player development, so the opportunity to play against some very good technical teams is exactly what we want.”

City U18 Coach Andy Swatton looking at the game said, “As a player in my non-league days, there was nothing bigger than playing in The FA Cup. Some tough games would be had in the preliminary rounds against other local Non-league clubs, with everyone fighting for the chance of entering the 1st round proper. That’s when the “big boys” come in. That prospect, coming up against Football League opposition, with the dream of becoming a “giant killer” should be fantastic motivation”

Nigel Upson, Head of Worcester City Youth Development said: “We have a very well established and thriving Youth Development section at all age groups with a strong link to our First Team. The Youth Cup represents a major Development step for our squad and they have been performing superbly in the competition so far, representing the Club with pride and with commitment to WCFC, themselves as a group and also the Management Team Steve and Andy".

“We gave a great set of lads and we have been working with the squad for a number of seasons. We introduced them to Floodlit football at U16, so for most this is their 3rd season in the Premier League but not only that, we have First Years and also U16's who are part of our squad as part of their pathway. We want our players to have these experiences along side their week in week out Floodlit and Reserves football. This is what learning and developing is all about".

“To progress into the First Round Proper would be a great accolade for the lads and everyone involved and I wish them all well in this prestigious competition. It's been fantastic to watch their performances.”

The FA Youth Cup on Friday kicks off at 7.30pm at Claines on the 3G pitch. Unfortunately the facility can only support 50 spectators because of social distancing. That means we can’t offer any tickets and is limited to player’s parents and club officials. But you can follow the match live on twitter: Worcester City U18s Midland Floodlit Youth Team @WCFCU18MFYL