Southampton’s Under-18s are set to face off against Watford on Tuesday, February 25, 2025, at Vicarage Road, as they compete for coveted spots in the FA Youth Cup semi-finals. Kick-off is scheduled for 19:00 GMT.
This quarter-final clash marks the second time in three years the young Saints have reached this stage of the prestigious competition. Their impressive run began with a convincing 2-0 victory against Swansea City, followed by another strong performance—a 3-0 triumph against Fleetwood Town. They demonstrated prowess in the fifth round as well, overcoming Derby County 4-1 at St Mary’s Stadium, thanks to standout contributions from Baylee Dipepa, Sufianu Sillah Dibaga, and Harry Gathercole.
The Saints, who have reached the semi-finals just three times over the past two decades, will be aiming to emulate their 2005 run to the final where they finished as runners-up. Dipepa, who has scored three goals throughout the tournament, expressed his eagerness for the upcoming match, stating, "we're just focusing game by game," as he hopes to continue their strong form.
On the other side, Watford, two-time winners of the FA Youth Cup, will be bringing impressive momentum to the match. The Hornets have scored 10 goals across their three matches, highlighted by standout performances against Oxford United and Crewe Alexandra and culminating in a thrilling 4-2 victory against Tottenham Hotspur, where Amin Nabizada secured two goals.
Calum McFarlane, who will lead Southampton's side through the Youth Cup matches as he transitions to the Under-21s Head Coach position, shared his pride following the fifth-round win over Derby. “The FA Youth Cup has such prestige to it; the game is at a main stadium, family and friends are watching, it's a great opportunity to see how they react in the environment,” he noted, reflecting on the team's growth and ability to thrive under pressure.
Looking to past encounters, the last time these two clubs met in the FA Youth Cup, it was Watford who came out on top during the 2018/19 campaign, where Ryan Cassidy's double ensured their progression, overcoming Kornelius Hansen's equalizing penalty.
Tickets for this enticing quarter-final clash are available for purchase on Watford’s official website or via phone at 01923 223023. The ticket prices are set at £5 for adults and £1 for those under 18, making it accessible for young fans to attend.
For those unable to attend, the match will be broadcasted live across The Emirates FA Cup YouTube channel and The FA Player, with coverage starting shortly before the 7 pm kick-off.