Steve Davis hails Academy achievement after deserved win over Gunners.

First team boss Steve Davis has hailed the achievement of the club’s youth team after they defeated Arsenal 3-2 in the FA Youth Cup to secure a quarter-final showdown with Manchester City next Monday. The 6th round will be played at the club's impressive Academy Stadium.

The Crewe youngsters excelled at Barnet’s Hive Stadium with Liam O’Neill, an own goal from Arsenal and a winning goal from Andre Brown securing a famous victory at youth level.

Davis was delighted with the club’s progression in the competition and was the first to congratulate coaches Alex Morris and Kenny Lunt on their victory.

Steve told crewealex.net: “The lads and the Academy staff have done brilliantly and it is a reward for all the hard work they put in. That goes from bottom right up to top with Alex, Kenny and Dario.

“A result like that doesn’t happen like that too often. It was a fantastic achievement. A club like Arsenal spends millions on their Academy, coaching and facilities. They are even prepared to get the best players in the world by paying fees for them. They get their share of local lads in as well.

“We run a successful Academy but do it on a shoestring compared to someone like Arsenal and usually our lads are from just down the road.

“To reach this stage of the competition and to beat the likes of Bolton, Fulham and Arsenal along the way shows it is no fluke. It shows that we are more than capable of producing some good young players.

He added: “Of course, Manchester City will be an even bigger test for them but they can go there in a positive frame of mind after beating a club like Arsenal. It will be another great experience for our lads and something they will never forget.”