Blackburn Rovers Youth v Brighton & Hove Albion Youth
By Paul Camillin. Wednesday, 08 February 2006.
Blackburn Rovers Youth v Brighton & Hove Albion Youth
Brighton & Hove Albion hotshot Joe Gatting wants to take The Seagulls one step further in the FA Youth Cup than father Steve did in The FA Cup more than 20 years ago.
Young Gatting lines up against Blackburn at Ewood Park tonight in the Fifth Round, fresh from a scoring performance in Brighton's wonderful 2-1 win over Chelsea in the last round, and the prolific forward is eyeing up another upset.
Gatting senior, a former Brighton, Arsenal and Charlton defender, was a runner-up with the Seagulls when they lost their FA Cup Final replay to Ron Atkinson's triumphant Manchester United side.
Now, 23 years on, he's cheering on 18-year-old son Joe and his team-mates in this season's FA Youth Cup.
The Brighton youngsters saw off Port Vale in the Third Round and then produced the shock of the fourth round by toppling Chelsea in front of over 3,000 fans at the Withdean Stadium.
Gatting told TheFA.com: "We have got a good chance of going all the way in this season's competition, we have a strong side and if we all play to our best then who knows?
"Going into the Chelsea game, we were quietly confident and I thought we had a good opportunity because on our day we are capable of beating anyone."
Gatting got Brighton's first that night in the 2-1 win, and his goals have been a big feature of what has been a superb season so far.
A total of 23 goals in 18 youth matches have helped Brighton - under the guidance of Martin Hinshelwood, Dean Wilkins, a former team-mate of Gatting senior, and Vic Bragg - remain unbeaten in the South Eastern Alliance League this season.
They are flying high at the top of the table, with a nine-point lead over nearest rivals QPR, but the trip to Ewood Park will be a totally new experience for the fledgling Seagulls.
"It's going to be a big experience for all the lads," Gatting added. "For most of the team it's going to be the first Premiership ground we've played on."
Gatting is one of the players who does have some experience of playing on the bigger stages - he featured for the club's first team in matches at Southampton and Sheffield United - and he would have been involved in the Championship match at Coventry's Ricoh Arena last Saturday, but for a calf injury sustained while training with the first team.
However, he expects to be back in time to face Blackburn tonight. "I should be fit for the match. I strained my calf last Monday, but I have started running again this week and fingers crossed I will be fit."
Log on to TheFA.com tomorrow for superb video highlights of Brighton's game with Blackburn.
http://www.thefa.com/TheFACup/TheFAYouthCup/NewsAndFeatures/Postings/2006/02/FAYouthCup_Brighton.htm
By Paul Camillin. Wednesday, 08 February 2006.
Blackburn Rovers Youth v Brighton & Hove Albion Youth
Brighton & Hove Albion hotshot Joe Gatting wants to take The Seagulls one step further in the FA Youth Cup than father Steve did in The FA Cup more than 20 years ago.
Young Gatting lines up against Blackburn at Ewood Park tonight in the Fifth Round, fresh from a scoring performance in Brighton's wonderful 2-1 win over Chelsea in the last round, and the prolific forward is eyeing up another upset.
Gatting senior, a former Brighton, Arsenal and Charlton defender, was a runner-up with the Seagulls when they lost their FA Cup Final replay to Ron Atkinson's triumphant Manchester United side.
Now, 23 years on, he's cheering on 18-year-old son Joe and his team-mates in this season's FA Youth Cup.
The Brighton youngsters saw off Port Vale in the Third Round and then produced the shock of the fourth round by toppling Chelsea in front of over 3,000 fans at the Withdean Stadium.
Gatting told TheFA.com: "We have got a good chance of going all the way in this season's competition, we have a strong side and if we all play to our best then who knows?
"Going into the Chelsea game, we were quietly confident and I thought we had a good opportunity because on our day we are capable of beating anyone."
Gatting got Brighton's first that night in the 2-1 win, and his goals have been a big feature of what has been a superb season so far.
A total of 23 goals in 18 youth matches have helped Brighton - under the guidance of Martin Hinshelwood, Dean Wilkins, a former team-mate of Gatting senior, and Vic Bragg - remain unbeaten in the South Eastern Alliance League this season.
They are flying high at the top of the table, with a nine-point lead over nearest rivals QPR, but the trip to Ewood Park will be a totally new experience for the fledgling Seagulls.
"It's going to be a big experience for all the lads," Gatting added. "For most of the team it's going to be the first Premiership ground we've played on."
Gatting is one of the players who does have some experience of playing on the bigger stages - he featured for the club's first team in matches at Southampton and Sheffield United - and he would have been involved in the Championship match at Coventry's Ricoh Arena last Saturday, but for a calf injury sustained while training with the first team.
However, he expects to be back in time to face Blackburn tonight. "I should be fit for the match. I strained my calf last Monday, but I have started running again this week and fingers crossed I will be fit."
Log on to TheFA.com tomorrow for superb video highlights of Brighton's game with Blackburn.
http://www.thefa.com/TheFACup/TheFAYouthCup/NewsAndFeatures/Postings/2006/02/FAYouthCup_Brighton.htm
so they are not missed.