Academy boss Mike Sandmann is urging his Dover players to enjoy the moment ahead of a massive FA Youth Cup tie.

Sandmann’s youngsters have reached the Third Round and will visit Premier League Brighton on Wednesday.

They have won six games to reach this stage, scoring 31 goals - more than anyone else in the competition - and they are the only non-league Academy left.

“The boys have had six games to get to this point,” said Sandmann.

“It’s something for the boys to really enjoy. It’s a fantastic opportunity to showcase themselves.

“We have been excellent and are leading scorers in the competition. We’re the only non-league side left - I know Southend are still in it but they have Category Three Academy status. So that’s a massive achievement for us in itself.

“Brighton are an exceptionally good side and they will be expecting to win, but we will want to give a good account of ourselves. Like we’ve seen in the World Cup, you never know what happens in football. It’s 11 versus 11.

“We will give our all and, if it’s not enough, I will still be extremely proud of them.”

Excitement is building ahead of the tie.

Sandmann said: “Everyone is on a massive high - and rightly so!

“There’s more doom and gloom moments in football than happy and joyous ones so you need to let them enjoy it. But they need to just stay focused and keep working hard.

“We will work on what we need to. We will work at training on what they can do but, also, what we can do.

“We are really looking forward to it.”

First-team manager Andy Hessenthaler has shown faith in the club’s youngsters, with plenty of players coming through their youth ranks to earn first-team opportunities in recent seasons.

Sandmann noted: “Seven lads signed for the first-team last year from the Academy. It gives any lad in our Academy a lift and something to focus on.

“They are seeing these players week-in, week-out, in National League South.

“It’s refreshing to work with a manager that will give young players opportunities.

"There will not be many out there that would do that.”

Along with those presently in Whites’ first-team, defender Sean Raggett, now at League 1 Portsmouth, has come through the Academy which was first set up around a decade ago.

“We are a well-established football Academy that has produced professional football players,” said Sandmann.

“Hopefully young players keep looking at that and want to be part of that.”