Academy manager Bryan Bull expects tough clash when Gillingham begin their FA Youth Cup campaign against Hanworth Villa

By: Luke Cawdell lcawdell@thekmgroup.co.uk

Published: 06:00, 05 November 2019

Updated: 07:14, 05 November 2019

Gillingham’s youth team start their FA Youth Cup campaign this week, with a home match against Hanworth Villa.

Their opponents beat Dover’s youth side 5-0 in the last round.

Gillingham's Emmanuel Fernandez in FA Youth Cup action against Ipswich last season Picture: Ady Kerry

The match takes place on Tuesday at Priestfield with a 7.30pm kick-off.

Under-18s and season ticket holders are admitted free of charge, otherwise it’s £5 for adults and £2 for seniors.

Gills academy manager Bryan Bull isn’t underestimating the task ahead of their side, even if the opponents aren’t familiar to most.

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He said: “It will be a tough assignment as, these days, there is a fine line between professional club academies and some of the really well run school/college schemes in operation.

“These generally are full-time in nature, combining education for part of the day and training too, with midweek league matches.

“There are, therefore, very few differences from a fitness point of view and the better sides generally contain a number of players who have just missed out on apprenticeships.”

The Gills enjoyed a good run in the FA Youth Cup last season, beating category one side Blackburn Rovers at Ewood Park.

Bull added: “We are going to be really young in the competition this year, with probably as many as five or six players who are still at school.”