Stats, facts and info ahead of FA Youth Cup tie
The Hatters Under-18s are aiming to become only the third Luton Town youth team to reach the quarter-finals of the FA Youth Cup when they take on Preston North End tonight at Deepdale (7pm).
• FA Youth Cup fifth round – quarter-final place up for grabs.
• Town won Youth Alliance South East championship (W17 D2 L3).
• Preston fifth in North West division (W8 D2 L7).
• Both sides in the regional finals/national semi-finals of the Youth Alliance League Cup
• Lilywhites like the Town are Category 3-rated academy in EPPP system.
• Both clubs the last remaining Cat-3 side left in the competition.
• Hatters beaten Colchester, Orient, Notts County and Oldham so far.
• North End seen off Carlisle and Exeter (entered at third round stage).
• Winners away to Blackburn Rovers in sixth round.
• First time since 2002/03 Town have played in the fifth round.
• Team containing Kevin Foley, Curtis Davies and Leon Barnett lost to Middlesbrough on penalties.
• 1996/97 was the last time a Hatters youth team reached the quarter-finals.
• That year the Town lost in the semi-final to eventual winners Leeds.
• Town top goalscorer Freddie Hinds has 18 goals this season, three in the Youth Cup.
• Hatters kept 17 clean sheets in 30 games in all competitions this season.
• It is the fourth successive away tie the Town have played in the competition.
• The Hatters have won their previous 11 home FA Youth Cup ties, scoring 65 goals.
Wednesday’s tie kicks-off at 7pm at Deepdale. The Sir Tom Finney stand [south] will be open for both sets of fans on the night – tickets are priced as £2 for adults and £1 for concessions – there will be cash entry at turnstiles with free entry for season ticket holders of both clubs.
For those who can’t make the game, Preston’s PlayerHD service will be offering a live video stream and commentary of the game. Hatters Player subscribers can log in using their usual details on Preston’s Player to access and watch the game.
We will also be live from Deepdale with live text updates together with post-match reports and reaction.