Valley Parade will forever be a stadium that is close to Sammie Szmodics’ heart.

The Colchester United midfielder stole the show the last time he played at the venue, in the Youth Alliance League Cup Final.

Szmodics’ eye-catching hat-trick helped the U’s under-18s side seal an impressive 4-2 win over Bradford City, last April.

It helped the U’s youngsters clinch a historic league and cup double and marked the emergence of several of their academy players.

Along with Szmodics, the likes of Tom Lapslie, Macauley Bonne and Frankie Kent also featured that night and have broken into the first-team.

And the former Stanway School pupil is looking forward to returning to the stadium where he produced such a virtuoso performance.

Szmodics said: “I scored a hat-trick there last time I was at Bradford and it was a good win.

“Hopefully we can do well there again and get three points.

“All of the boys are on a bit of a high, after picking up three points at home.

“The boys are all on a high and the Leyton Orient win really boosted us.

“It’ll be a weight off our shoulders if we can get another win and move out of the relegation zone.

“Everyone knows it’s going to be a battle at Bradford.

“They’re a physical team and we have to play our usual game and not get sucked into the scrap, which is what it might be.

“I like getting the ball down and playing but I also like a scrap!

“Bradford are a physical team and I’m only little but I will stand up for myself!”

For a full preview of the U's game at Bradford City, see Friday's Daily Gazette.