Under-18s Ready For Port Vale

A look ahead to Tuesday's FA Youth Cup tie at Vale Park.

Everton Under-18s are vying for a place in the fifth round of the FA Youth Cup when they play Port Vale on Tuesday evening (7pm kick-off).

Having eliminated Southampton with a 2-0 win at St Mary’s in the third round and triumphed 3-2 over Reading in the opening fixture of their Elite Group campaign on Saturday, the scholars head to Vale Park in buoyant mood.

Port Vale, however, are not to be underestimated after already overcoming three Football League clubs to reach this stage. Entering at the first round, the Valiants successfully negotiated their way past Walsall (1-0), Bury (2-1) and Crystal Palace (2-0) to take their place in the last-32 of the competition.

Blues Under-18s coach Kevin Sheedy is well aware of the threat the Staffordshire team pose, especially after their result in the last round at Selhurst Park.

“It’s going to be another difficult game,” said Sheedy. “We put all our efforts and thoughts into Reading but now that the dust has settled on that we have been preparing for Port Vale.

“We’ve watched them and they beat a very good Crystal Palace side away in the last round. We certainly won’t be underestimating them – it will be a really difficult test.”

Port Vale play their league football in the Youth Alliance North West group, which consists of 16 teams. After 13 matches they are placed 10th in the table, 15 points behind leaders Preston North End.

The draw for the fifth round of this season’s Youth Cup has already been made, with the winners of Tuesday’s tie facing a tough-looking trip to either Fulham or Arsenal in the next stage.

Everton last won the competition in 1997/98. Members of that successful squad included Richard Dunne, Michael Ball, Phil Jevons and Danny Cadamarteri.

evertonfc.com will bring you updates from Vale Park on Tuesday, with highlights available from Wedensday morning.