Coventry City are just 90 minutes from reaching their first major final in 12 years.

The Sky Blues take a 4-0 lead into the second leg of the FA Youth Cup semi-final against Newcastle at Highfield Road tonight.

Gary McSheffrey rattled in a hat-trick and Craig Strachan added a fourth in the first leg at St James’ Park to put City firmly in control.

They now look favourite to meet West Ham who are 3-0 up at the same stage against Everton.

Today’s game kicks off at 7pm and tickets are priced at £3 for adults and £1 for juniors and OAPs. The club can help schools organise parties for the game and anyone interested should ring 01203 234020.

Chairman Bryan Richardson is hopeful the class of 1999 can follow the junior side of 1987 who won the cup just days before their seniors beat Tottenham at Wembley.

He said:

"It is a magnificent achievement to have reached the semi-final and the lads did very well up at Newcastle.

"I went up to watch the game and it was a terrific performance by them. Hopefully they will turn on the style tonight.

"It would be great to see a good crowd at the game and the team certainly play very exciting football."

The first leg of the final will be at Highfield Road on 7 May, kicking off at 8pm, with the second leg away from home a week later.

Sky Blues veteran defender David Burrows has told his City team-mates that they cannot afford to slip up against Wimbledon on Saturday.

He said:

"We are looking at five more points to be safe, so we really need to win our last two home games to make sure.

"We are getting anxious to secure points, on Saturday two of the teams below us lost which was a bonus, but we can’t keep relying on that."

However, Burrows feels that Coventry will be significantly strengthened for Saturday’s clash by the return from suspension of Gary McAllister and Noel Whelan.

He said: