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Carlisle United learn first round opponents in FA Youth Cup

jon colman
·3-min read
Hayden Atkinson, who made his first-team debut recently, will be among the players available to Mark Birch for the FA Youth Cup this season <i>(Image: Ben Holmes)</i>
Hayden Atkinson, who made his first-team debut recently, will be among the players available to Mark Birch for the FA Youth Cup this season (Image: Ben Holmes)

Carlisle United have been handed an away tie against non-league opposition in the first round of the FA Youth Cup.

The Blues' under-18s will take on Altrincham.

The clash with the National League club was produced in the first round draw which was made on Friday.

It will see Mark Birch's young Blues side aim to progress beyond the first round for the first time since 2020.

United should be able to call on a number of young players who have made their first-team debuts this season.

The likes of Freddie O'Donoghue, Dan Hopper, Seb Mason and Hayden Atkinson will be expected to feature in the tie in Greater Manchester.

Carlisle have been knocked out at the first round stage in each of the last three seasons.

Last term they were defeated 5-1 by Barnsley while in 2022 Fleetwood Town won 4-0 at Brunton Park. In 2021 United drew 4-4 with Oldham Athletic before losing on penalties.

United's under-18 manager Mark Birch, left, with coach Jamie Devitt (Image: Richard Parkes)

Four years ago the young Blues progressed to the third round of youth football's most prestigious knockout competition before going out to Blackburn Rovers.

As in the senior FA Cup, the first round proper sees clubs from Leagues One and Two enter the competition, joining the non-league sides who have progressed through the qualifying rounds.

United are hoping to progress beyond the first round for the first time since 2020 (Image: Andrew Matthews)

Altrincham's cup campaign began with a 2-1 second qualifying round win over Warrington Town, before they defeated Chester 1-0 on Wednesday to book their first round place.

The tie is scheduled to be at Alty's J Davidson Stadium and must be played by Saturday, November 2. A date for the game is set to be confirmed soon.

The FA Youth Cup holders are Manchester City, who defeated Leeds United 4-0 in last season's final.

FULL FA YOUTH CUP FIRST ROUND DRAW

1 Rotherham United v Bolton Wanderers
2 Accrington Stanley v Farsley Celtic
3 Oldham Athletic v Barnsley
4 Stockport County v Blackpool
5 Blyth Spartans v Bradford City
6 Wrexham v Morecambe
7 Altrincham v Carlisle United
8 AFC Fylde v Doncaster Rovers
9 Harrogate Town v Macclesfield or Guiseley
10 Fleetwood Town v Wigan Athletic
11 Trafford v Tranmere Rovers
12 Salford City v Huddersfield Town
13 Lichfield City v Lincoln City
14 Shrewsbury Town v Coalville Town
15 Kempston Rovers v Notts County
16 Mansfield Town v Grimsby Town
17 Peterborough United v Northampton Town
18 Solihull Moors v Crewe Alexandra
19 Chesterfield v Walsall
20 Port Vale v Burton Albion
21 Tamworth v Wellingborough Whitworth
22 Newcastle Town v Birmingham City
23 Ramsgate or Woking v Bromley
24 Colchester United v Heybridge Swifts or Hackney Wick
25 Barking v Whitehawk
26 Milton Keynes Dons v Stevenage
27 Eastbourne United or Maidenhead United v Burgess Hill Town
28 Sutton United v AFC Wimbledon
29 Hertford Town v Cambridge United
30 Sheringham or Harpenden Town v Rising Ballers Kensington or Jersey Bulls
31 Merstham v Bury Town or St Albans City
32 Gillingham v Charlton Athletic
33 AFC Dunstable v Reading
34 Leyton Orient v Aldershot Town
35 Exeter City v Bridgwater United
36 Hartpury University v Cheltenham Town
37 Swindon Town v Newport County
38 Bristol Rovers v Badshot Lea
39 Brislington or Camberley Town v Forest Green Rovers
40 Eastleigh v Torquay United