Harrow boss hoping to win one derby to set up another.
Hayes & Yeading v Harrow Borough
The FA Youth Cup sponsored by E.ON
Preliminary Round
7.45pm, Monday 6 September
Church Road, Hayes & Yeading FC
Click here for fixtures
Harrow Borough Youth Team manager Dean Toddington is hoping his side can win one local derby and line up another one with his Championship heroes.
Harrow take on Hayes and Yeading in tonight's FA Youth Cup, and Toddington is looking to get one over his league rivals to set up a game against his team of choice.
"As a QPR season ticket holder, I would love us to get a draw against them but I just want us to put up a good show. Hayes are a competitive side, we are in the same league, the Ryman League West Division and it will not be an easy game"
Toddington feels that competition among his squad will be more of an incentive than the locality of the two clubs, which will help with the game's logistics.
"It is a local derby but I don't think they need that as added motivation as it's our first competitive game of the season. Half of the team are new and keen to get involved; the locality does make it easier with the tube strike though!"
Toddington is well aware of the calibre of players that Hayes have had in the past, with QPR legend Les Ferdinand being a former player, but he is counting on a few of his own squad to make a name for themselves for Harrow.
"I will be looking at Troy Raymond to pick up on the same form he was in last year in front of goal, he has the potential to get into the reserves this year," he added.
"Calvin King has solved our goalkeeping crisis and has had run outs in the reserves and first team so he will hopefully help us avenge the last result."
Hayes club secretary Bill Gritt has seen numerous players emerge from the youth ranks and go onto the greater things, he is also very proud of the investment in young talent his club is famous for.
"The youth team set up here has kept this club alive financially," he said.
"The returns we have got from Les Ferdinand and DJ Campbell have done wonders for the club. Our first team today still has plenty of players that have come up from young ages and The Youth Cup is exactly where that talent gets to shine."
