Town’s U18s face Cardiff City for the second time in two weeks in an FA Youth Cup third round tie at the Cardiff City Stadium on Saturday afternoon (KO 3pm).

Last weekend a very young Blues side featuring a number of U16s were beaten 3-0 by the Bluebirds in a league fixture.

“It’s a great opportunity for them, it’s going to be a good game, both good footballing teams. We’re looking forward to it,” academy head of coaching and player development Bryan Klug said.

“Anything can happen with kids in a three o’clock kick-off at the stadium. That’s a big experience for them.”

Klug believes last week's encounter will have little bearing on Saturday’s tie given the young side the Blues fielded on that occasion.

“I don’t think you can read anything into that game,” he added. “We played them here earlier in the season and it was the other way round, we dominated that game [winning 3-1].

“You don’t know what’s going to happen in those games, you just go and hope that they adapt to it. We’ve got some good players, without a shadow of a doubt, that’s more important.”

The winner of the tie will travel to face AFC Bournemouth in round four, the Cherries having beaten Barnet in their third round match on Wednesday. That game has to be played prior to Saturday 18th January.

“They won 4-3 on Wednesday, they were 4-0 up at half-time,” Klug added. “Another nice journey.

"[Former Town academy striker] Alan Connell is doing the youth team there. They’re an up and coming academy. They’re doing well Bournemouth.”

The young Blues defeated Exeter 2-1 in round two of the FA Youth Cup last month having thrashed King’s Lynn 6-1 in the first.

Last season the Town youngsters reached the last 16 stage of the competition where they were beaten 4-1 by Watford.

The Blues have won the FA Youth Cup on three occasions, in 1973, 1975 and 2005.

Photo: Action Images

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