Irish striker Ryan Cassidy nears Anfield dream after cup heroics

18 years young today and clearly going places. Anfield may be one of those places.

"We can beat anyone," declared Ryan Cassidy after his brace helped Watford into the semi-finals of the FA Youth Cup.

The former St Kevin's Boys forward has scored 22 goals in 47 games for Watford's underage sides (U18s and U23s) since joining up with them in 2017. Watford are on a fine run in the FA Youth Cup and defeated Leicester City 2-1 in extra time, midweek, to reach the final four. Cassidy scored the Hornets' opener from the spot after winning the penalty himself. Leicester equalised and, with home advantage, looked set to go through after putting their visitors under immense pressure in added time. However, captain Cassidy was not letting this one slip. He was involved in a swift breakaway and a lovely through ball left him with just the onrushing goalkeeper to beat, which he duly did: https://youtu.be/OETM1He9Pu8 It was Cassidy's third consecutive brace of the competition after he tormented Ipswich and Southampton in earlier rounds. Leicester were the latest to fall victim to his finishing skills and Liverpool's U18s could well be next. The Reds' underage stars take on Bury next Wednesday and the winner faces Watford in the final four. Speaking to his club's official website, Cassidy said it would be a dream to face Liverpool, the club he supported as a boy, at Anfield. He commented:

“I support Liverpool so I’d love to get them. Imagine scoring in front of the Kop for Watford? It would just be a dream, something I’ve always wanted since I was younger. "I’d love to share that with my dad. He’s my biggest supporter and has always been there for me."

Cassidy, who has turned out for Ireland in underage competitions, believes he is adding more to his game since he burst onto the scene with a hat-trick against Bristol City. "Hopefully I can keep going,” he added. “I just feel I can score against anyone. Under-23 football has benefitted me massively. Then when I come back down to my own age, all the defenders are smaller and not as strong as me. I can just hold the ball better and pull away from defenders."