Joe Dunne wants his Colchester United youngsters to put in another gutsy display as they bid to make the quarter-finals of the FA Youth Cup.

And they will need steely determination to get past their next opponents, Crewe Alexandra, in the fifth round at Gresty Road tonight (kick-off 7pm).

The club's strong Academy has produced players of such talent as David Platt, Robbie Savage, Danny Murphy, Seth Johnson and most recently Dean Ashton.

Youth-team coach Dunne takes his charges to Cheshire tonight for what is going to be one of the toughest matches in the competition so far.

He said: "Crewe's reputation proceeds them. They have a fantastic academy.

"They have done well with the young talent they have produced. The money which has come from it has been used to advance their youth programme."

Dunne, though, is confident that his own youngsters from United's centre of excellence will give the Railwaymen a run for their money.

They have already seen off well-funded academy teams from Cardiff City and Chelsea.

More in today's Evening Gazette

More on Colchester United FC

Have your say on our Views on the U's bulletin board

Published Tuesday, February 1, 2005