Mini Lancashire Derby for Preston North End as Under-18s travel to Blackburn Rovers in FA Youth Cup

There will be a mini Lancashire derby on Tuesday at Ewood Park as Preston North End’s Under-18s take on Blackburn Rovers Under-18s in the fifth round of the FA Youth Cup (7pm).
Ethan Walker warming up at Deepdale.Ethan Walker warming up at Deepdale.
Ethan Walker warming up at Deepdale.

The winner of the clash will go on to play Arsenal at home in the next round, with the semi-final also having been drawn.

Should PNE win their next two games in the competition they will play either Manchester City or Burnley on home soil.

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North End set up a clash against Rovers by beating Oxford United 2-0 at Deepdale last month.

Ethan Walker scored both goals on the night, one a ‘Panenka’ style chipped penalty and the other nipping in front of the goalkeeper from a Lewis Coulton cross.

Walker will be available for selection ahead of Tuesday's game despite currently being out on loan.

He joined Stalybridge Celtic along with Adam O’Reilly, who has already scored his first goal for his loan club, and set up their second of three at the weekend.

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Walker has not featured in the matchday squad in recent weeks, his last appearance coming as a substitute on February 1, but as his is a youth loan, he is able to return to PNE to feature.

Other players will be looking to build on previous good performances in the competition, and in showings in the Lancashire Senior Cup.

One such will be Tyrhys Dolan who performed well against Blackburn at Springfields in the Senior Cup, his corner headed home by Paul Huntington.

Dolan will skipper Nick Anderton’s side, most likely operating in the No.10 role or leading the line.

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Jacob Holland-Wilkinson also started against a more experienced Rovers side and will likely do so again tonight.

The 17-year-old won LFE goal of the month for his strike in the 2-0 win over Bristol City in the third round of the Youth Cup.

North End have not had any form since their 2-0 win over Oxford in the last round, losing their next three games.

The young Lilywhites have the chance to forget those defeats right tonight, with PNE supporters being allocated a section in the lower tier of the Jack Walker Stand to go and show their support at Ewood Park.

Tickets are £4 for adults, £2 for concessions and admission is free for season card holders.