Basford United U18s prepped for Grimsby Town visit in FA Youth Cup

“All we think about is just another game of football and we will go out and express ourselves!”

Those are the sentiments of goalkeeper Gianni Musson as Basford United under 18s prepare to face their biggest assignment to date on Monday

night.

League Two Grimsby Town are the visitors to Greenwich Avenue in the second round of the FA Youth Cup; a campaign that started back in early September when Josh Law and Wayne Scott’s boys slammed seven past Alfreton Town in the preliminary rounds and an illustrious tie with Premier League side West Bromwich Albion now awaits.

And whilst their fantastic journey has yielded a further four wins, including a 4-1 thrashing of Port Vale last month, Musson remains focused and believes in the methods and aspirations they are trying to achieve and says his team have their feet firmly on the ground.

"We are all looking forward to playing Grimsby Town with the prospect of West Brom in the next round,” he said.

"However, as players we don’t really think about the name or age of those in front of us, we think about how it’s just another game of football and we will go out on Monday night to express ourselves just as we are used to.

“Basford’s progression in the competition is a testament and true reflection of the standard set by both the players and coaches here - we are always trying to raise the bar during every game and every training session.

"The possibility of facing a Premier League side doesn’t make a difference to us as players,” he added.

"We take each game as it comes and try and overcome each challenge at that time.

“We will feel pressure as we did against Port Vale, but the attitude and mindset of these players and I is one of confidence. The pressure is purely on them to get a result as a professional academy - we must go out and there and enjoy it.”

Wins against their Mickleover, Lutterworth and Lincoln United counterparts followed before a trip to Vale Park saw Reece Robins put Frank Sinclair’s home side into a 16th minute lead and United’s chances looked bleak.

However, a brace from the talented Wayde Hines and second half strikes from Lewis Rourke and Rory Harrison sealed a deserved win and Musson says that their never-say-die attitude is why they have achieved so much this season and hopes it continues moving forward.

“At Basford we strive to be the best we can be, both individually, as a team and as a club," the 17-year-old said.

"On and off the pitch we play football the right way and act the right way whether that be before and after training or games, or simply when we’re just

representing.

"Although we aren’t a professional academy, we set our standards to be able to compete with the Football League teams and beyond. But we remain focused and we set our levels of standard from the games we play previously and try to level up each performance from the last.

“In training, everyone is focused, and their mindsets are fully on the game with Grimsby - it is the biggest match of our lives and we are all hungry.

“We are 100% prepared following many productive weeks around the club and everyone is really excited – we are looking forward to it."

Basford have recently announced that up to 300 home fans can be in attendance for the game on Monday but will not be permitting any travelling fans from Lincolnshire due to Nottingham’s continued tier 3 status and anyone looking to buy a ticket can do so via the club’s online shop.