Reading have endured their share of FA Youth Cup scares this season but next up is a quarter-final tie with reigning champions Chelsea and academy manager David Dodds is ready for their toughest test yet.
The Royals began the competition in hesitant fashion, entering in the third round at home to Sheffield United and narrowly escaping a swift exit – 1-0 down in the dying minutes before a late leveller and two extra-time goals sent them through.
In the next round, they came from behind once again to beat Fulham, before a more convincing display at Wolves saw them ease into the last eight with a 3-0 win.
Chelsea v Reading
The FA Youth Cup
Sixth Round
7.05pm, Friday 26 February 2016
Stamford Bridge, Chelsea
By Dan Gillott
Lying in wait, however, is a Chelsea side that has reached this stage in each of the last seven seasons, lifting the trophy on four of those occasions – including the last two instalments.
But Reading have already beaten the Blues this term, with the sides having met twice in the Under-18 Premier League South and the home side winning 2-0 on both occasions.
And Dodds insists his young charges have developed immensely as the season has gone on and head to Chelsea capable of causing an upset.
"Sheffield United pushed us right to the hilt and with 30 seconds to go, we were heading out of the competition," he recalled. "But we got through that in extra time.
"Fulham, again, was a difficult start to the game but we came away with a result. Sometimes you think ‘is that the writing on the wall?’
"The Youth Cup ties are great games and great nights, we’ve seen what Chelsea can do but we’re really looking forward to it.
Chelsea won The FA Youth Cup by beating Manchester City in last year's Final
"The lads have really pleasantly surprised us. In pre-season we got little inklings of it, like beating Millwall 5-0 when they usually give us a really good game.
"We suddenly started thinking ‘actually, they are gelling together well’ and then as the season has gone on, they have managed to get results.
"That has improved confidence and there are three or four lads in there who could be ready to move up soon."
Two of Dodds’ players have already had a taste of moving up to the senior ranks, with defender Gabriel Osho and midfielder Josh Barrett training with Brain McDermott’s first-team squad in recent weeks.
Barrett even took his place among the substitutes during last weekend’s Emirates FA Cup victory over West Bromwich Albion and Dodds is delighted to have the 17-year-old back at his disposal on Friday night.
"[Barrett] has been away with the first team and doing well on the training park and been on the bench a couple of times," he added.
"Now he is back with the lads and you always worry how they are going to settle but him and Gabriel Osho have come back and fitted in brilliantly so that’s great news."
