Murphy: Youth team continue to surpass expectations

Murphy spoke of his delight at Blackpool's win at Ipswich

The young Seasiders booked their place in the last eight of the competition on Tuesday night after seeing off Ipswich Town 2-0 at Portman Road.Rowan Roache and Owen Watkinson grabbed the all-important goals as Blackpool sprung another shock, having already beaten Southampton and West Ham United in the previous two rounds.

“They continue to surprise us,” Murphy admitted.

“It’s an overriding emotion of delight to get this far. They’ve done the club proud and the staff proud.

“We’ve won five games now, so the lads are obviously doing something right.

“We’ve played two Premier League clubs, two decent Category Two clubs from League One and a good Category Two side in the Championship.

“You don’t get lucky over five games, maybe one or two, but not five, so the lads have earnt the right to be where they are.

“The effort, work-rate and the way they play as a team is definitely as good as I’ve seen in the six years I’ve been involved with the youth team. They’re getting their rewards from that.

“We scored two goals early on, and that set the tone for the match really.

“The players worked it out themselves, they let Ipswich have the ball in their own half and then were compact in our own half to hit them on the break.”

Blackpool beat Ipswich to reach last eight of FA Youth Cup

Nottingham Forest or Blackburn will be Blackpool’s opponents in the next round, so a scouting trip will be planned for the tie, which takes place next week.

“We’ll be going to that game,” Murphy added.

“The staff will see what happens and then we’ll plan from there. It’ll be a good tie whoever we face.”

First-team manager Gary Bowyer was also quick to send his congratulations.

"I'm really proud of the youth team boys," he said.

"That's four away wins in this competition now, plus a home victory on penalties.

"The determination to succeed has been fantastic and I once again must congratulate John Murphy, Ian Dawes and the rest of the staff.

"All the first-team players were also watching the game on a live link and I know they are absolutely thrilled for the lads. It's a magnificent achievement."