Teenage Hockley defender James Smith faces the daunting task of keeping Leeds United's future Premiership superstars at bay.
The 17-year-old centre-half is a first-year scholar with Third Division Cambridge United, who meet the Yorkshire giants in the FA Youth Cup fourth round at the Abbey Stadium this Friday night.
Rising star - James Smith shows off his FA Youth Cup man-of-the-match trophy Picture: TERENCE BUNCH
And the 6ft 3ins stopper, who is a sixth former at Westcliff's St Thomas More high school, is looking forward to the challenge of a life-time.
"These are the sort of games you dream of playing in," said Barry Smith, James' father.
"Cambridge have done really well to get this far. They've already beaten one Premiership club, Bolton Wanderers 1-0 in the last round, and they'll be hoping to pull off another upset against Leeds.
"James had to limp off during the latter stages of the Bolton game with a suspected cartilage problem, but it was only a case of bad bruising in the end and he can't wait to play against Leeds.
"He got a man of the match award in the second round, when Cambridge beat Second Division Bristol City 1-0, and he'll be hoping to have another good game against Leeds on Friday."
Published Tuesday, January 14, 2003
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