Pics: Andy Ford/Burnley FC
MET POLICE boss Jim Cooper reckons the FA Youth Cup victory at Burnley on Monday night is the best result ever in the club’s 96-year history.
The Ryman Premier club’s youth side, managed by Stuart Searle, continued their fine Cup run with a win in the third round at Turf Moor thanks to keeper Kallum Lunn’s heroics in the penalty shoot-out.
Luke Brant equalised for the Met in the first half after Burnley’s opener and Ben Marett levelled the game again in the last minute of extra time to make it 2-2.
Lunn then stepped to the fore to save penalties from Mark Howarth and Burnley skipper Shaun Hobson, as Met Police triumphed 6-5 in the shoot-out for a famous victory.
It followed shoot-out wins over Yeovil Town and Dulwich Hamlet in the same competition and the Met will find out their fourth round opponents on Friday.
“I would probably say that their result has to go down as the best ever result for any Met Police side in our 96 year history and with a little bit of luck, the draw on Friday will be kind and offer the boys a dream game against one of the Premier League sides,” said first team boss Jim Cooper.
“Our club has a great future if we continue to show faith in the local youth players. The boys in this current side have a fantastic future in the game.
“Ideally we shall reap the benefit of this crop of youngsters but ultimately we would like them to be picked up by professional clubs and be offered the chance of a career in football.
“Some have already played in my first team this season aged 17. I have, nor will ever have, any worries playing them if they are good enough so do not be surprised if more of this current crop of youngsters play first team football in the very near future.”
