CLANFIELD 85 are aiming to continue their FA Youth Cup fairytale when they take on Cambridge City tomorrow night, writes JAMES ROBERTS.

The village club have reached the first round proper in their maiden season in the competition after beating Bracknell Town, Oxford City and Hemel Hempstead Town.

Clanfield could have been drawn against third tier sides including Blackburn Rovers and Oxford United, but host Cambridge instead.

But the youngsters would not be looking forward to the tie without a club which has put in the hard yards to reach this stage.

In summer 2016, Clanfield officers and volunteers improved Radcot Road to secure the ground grading required for national competitions.

The hard work paid off, with this season bringing the first team’s first FA Vase campaign since 2012/13, along with the youth team’s cup run.

The club’s youngsters have come a long way since winning just one point in their first season in the Allied Counties Youth Football League in 2014/15.

Last season they triumphed in the OFA’s Joe Roughton Under 18 Youth Cup, beating Oxford City in the final.

And manager Alan Heritage’s side have replicated their cup form in the league to sit second in the Allied Counties Youth Football League North Division.

Several of Heritage’s players are now regular members of Clanfield’s senior squad in Uhlsport Hellenic League Division One West.

The west Oxfordshire side are hoping to mark the occasion with their first programme for a youth match.

But for Heritage, the clash with Cambridge will already be extra special.

He said: “I have run the side from Under 7 level and their success in recent years has come from their commitment to listen and learn.

“This game will be a proud moment for all concerned.”

Elsewhere, Clanfield’s senior side lost 5-3 at Chalgrove Cavaliers in the Oxfordshire Senior Cup.

Karl Roberts, Callum Miller and Zac Oliver were on target.