Clarets ready for under-21 cup action against Hull

Last updated : 30 September 2014 By Tony Scholes
Luke Conlan scored a late winner last season

As a Category 3 academy we are forced into the competition in Qualifying Round 1 and we certainly weren't expected to enjoy such a run in the competition. We did, and equipped ourselves very well in the semi-final, going out 3-2 to City with Cameron Dummigan and Jason Gilchrist scoring our goals.

We are back in Qualifying Round 1 tonight. The game should have been played away, at North Ferriby United, but has been moved to the Turf because of a potential FA Cup replay at North Ferriby should they have drawn at Cleethorpes Town last Saturday. They won the game 2-1.

So it's the Turf and with work still in progress in the Bob Lord Stand we've been pushed over the other side into the Longside Lower for this game. It is one I'll be attending unless there is a dramatic change in the weather between now and kick off time.

There is no team news from Turf Moor but Hull have confirmed they will make use of the rule that permits up to four over-age players and that both Sone Aluko and Eldin Jakupovic are likely to play.

We know that two of our development squad players won't feature with both Tom Anderson and Jadan Hall are currently out on loan at Conference clubs Lincoln and Chester.

Others who featured last season, including Luke Conlan, Cameron Howieson and Jamie Frost, who were all on the scoresheet, will be in the squad.

Whether we opt to give some game time to players such as Kevin Long, Danny Lafferty, Stephen Ward and Steven Hewitt remains to be seen but otherwise the team is likely to be selected from the current development squad.

Kick off tonight is at 7 p.m. and entrance to the Longside Lower is £3 adults and £1 concessions although adult season ticket holders of both clubs will be admitted for £1.