Goalkeeper Bailey Hopkins hopes Newport County Under-18s can enjoy a strong run in this season’s FAW Youth Cup as they continue their campaign against AFC Llwydcoed on Sunday afternoon (2pm).
The young Exiles, who made it to the quarter-final stage of the competition last season, enter the match with momentum, following an impressive midweek draw against Plymouth Argyle in the EFL Youth Alliance League Cup.
County advanced to the first round of this season's competition with a commanding 4-0 victory over Afan Lido in the opening qualifying round last month. Jac Norris netted a hat-trick, while Cameron Llewellyn added a second-half penalty to secure the win at the Marston’s Stadium.
And Hopkins, who has been with the Exiles since Under-11s, is determined to use last season’s quarter-final heartbreak as motivation for this year's campaign.
“We’re all looking forward to the game, it’s going to be another great experience for us,” the shot-stopper said.
“With last year’s disappointment in the cup on penalties, I think this year we’ve got to look to progress further and become one of the teams to beat.
“Last season’s exit was tough to take for us all, but it’s made us even more determined this year.
“The FAW Youth Cup is a big competition for us as players and the club, and we always look to do well in it each year.
On facing Llwydcoed, he added: "We don’t know a lot about them, but we know it’s going to be a real tough game. We’ve got to make sure we are best prepared as possible for the tie and are ready for it on the day.
“Against Afan Lido in the last round, we didn’t know an awful lot about them, but we approached the game with the same mentality as any other academy game. That's the same mindset we all have going into to this one on Sunday.
“As a team we’ve really kicked on this season, having a positive start in both the League and League Cup. Sunday is another game to improve, another game to enjoy, and another game to show what we can do as a team.”