The turnaround for the youth team has been impressive in recent months, with results improving in the wake of the FA Youth Cup defeat to Stevenage at Kenilworth Road at the beginning of November.
Professional Development Phase Lead Coach Inigo Idiakez has been delighted with his side's response in recent months, as they look to continue their magnificent run of form into the game tomorrow morning.
He said: "After the Youth Cup defeat against Stevenage the reaction of the boys has been incredible. In the last ten we have won nine, six of those games has been in the league and we have won five. They are training really well, the way we have been playing I am really pleased about.
"Everyone is looking forward to the game, we want to get to the final, we let people down with our performance in the Youth Cup. The team are really focused on this game, they want to be in the final. We are trying to match the intensity of the first team in our training and the approach we have and I believe that has shown.
"They want to prove they are one of the best teams in category three, I am happy with their progression over the past few months. The players have a lot of things to prove, they're trying to earn pro-contracts so this is a good platform for them to prove themselves."
The former Real Sociedad and Derby County midfielder feels he has settled into life well at the club, as he hopes to see the Hatters reach the final of the competition – a feat he didn't manage as a coach at his previous clubs.
"As the coach I want to improve, the players have improved me though, it was a challenge at the beginning, but we understand each other a lot better and we are enjoying it," he continued. "I want to get to the final, I didn't whilst I was a coach at Leicester or at Derby. Hopefully we can do it.
"The club is on the up, it's a family club that is growing. I am trying to be part of the development of the club."
Exeter City and Oxford United will contest the other semi-final.
If you want to see the youth team in action tomorrow, the game kicks off at 11am.
The address is:
Quat Goose Lane, Cheltenham, GL51 9RX
