Philliskirk calls on cup-tie team spirit

Young hot-shot . . . Rio Murray has scored four goals in the opening two round of this season’s FA Youth Cup.

A PLACE in round four of the FA Youth Cup is the prize Athletic’s young guns are aiming for tonight against visitors Bournemouth.

Luton Town - who have lost only once in their last 31 games, await the winners of the rearranged home tie next Tuesday.

Athletic’s academy boss Tony Philliskirk accepts his charges are second favourites to make it through to the Hatters tie.

His players will certainly be fresh for this clash, having turned out only once since November.

“The players are chomping at the bit to play and we have plenty of players available compared to previous rounds,” said Philliskirk, who last saw his side in action on December 19.

“We might be a little rusty with not having played for a while, but hopefully the enthusiasm of playing at this stage will get them through. We go into the game probably as underdogs, but what we have here is a great team spirit.”

Whoever wins the eventual Luton game will play either Exeter or Preston in the last 16.