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Young Magpies bidding for fifth round place
Written by Dan King
Newcastle's under-18s take on Crystal Palace in the fourth round of the FA Youth Cup on Friday night.
Dave Watson's side travel to Selhurst Park for a 7pm (UK time) kick-off, having won 5-0 at Brighton & Hove Albion in the third round.
Kelland Watts scored a hat-trick while Lewis Cass and Kurtis Russell were also on target, while United also scored five against Manchester City in their last league game - a 5-2 success at the City Football Academy.
The Eagles, meanwhile, sit eight points clear at the top of the Under-18s Professional Development League, designed for academies with category two status. They beat Mansfield Town on penalties in the last round.
An away tie at Norwich City awaits the winners and coach Watson told NUFC TV: "From the Brighton game, our focus has obviously been on the league but in the back of the lads' heads is the FA Youth Cup, especially at a big ground.
"Crystal Palace are going very well at the top of the league and they have some very good attacking players. We'll do our homework on them, as they'll do on us, and on the night let's see who is the better team."
Newcastle reached the quarter-final stage last season but haven't won the competition since Paul Gascoigne inspired the Magpies to victory over Watford in 1985.
And Watson said: "As they all say in football, it really is one game at a time. If we totally give Crystal Palace our focus, and we're well-organised, we've got a good chance."
Tickets were available to purchase in advance in blocks G & H of the Main Stand, priced at £5 for adults and £1 for under-18s. Adult tickets rise to £10 on the day of the game.
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