The win came against a strong Marlow side, with the Young Royals racing into a two-goal lead before being pegged back and having to defend stoutly.

Reflecting on the victory, Hunt said:

“It’s great to win something! It was a good game, a tough game. In the first half, I thought we blew them away in terms of how we went after the game. In the second half, we made it a game for them. We stopped doing the things that we’re good at and gave them a bit of life.

“We had a few good chances to put the game to bed but emotions came into it and we didn’t pick the right options in the pressure moment. On the whole, we could have made it easier for ourselves, but we won the cup, and that’s the big thing.

“We didn’t start the game right, and I don’t think we did the things that have been working so well in recent games. It’s a good lesson for us that if we don’t do the right things, it can cause us a problem.

“They’re young lads and they’re learning the game. It’s just about us fine-tuning everything to make sure we go into the next game with a better mindset at the start.

“We worked on quick switches of play, how we do it, and when we should do it. Louie has hit a really good pass, John Ryan takes a good touch, and he’s taken down to win a penalty.

“I wasn’t happy to concede, but I was happy with the way we kept calm and controlled the game from that point onwards.

“The staff work day in, day out across all age groups. We’re all here together, and we’re very close as a group. That’s what we want—a tight-knit group, a family vibe, and that’s what we’ve had since I came in. Tonight’s win is for them.”

The reward for the aforementioned victory over Nottingham Forest is a semi-final clash against Sunderland’s U21s, whose manager is a familiar face for Royals fans: club legend and 106 captain Graeme Murty.

Hunt played with “Murts” during his debut season in RG2 and has remained close with his former skipper since, but there will be no love lost on Monday night:

“Murts is a great guy and I love him to bits! I’ll never forget how he welcomed me into the club when I arrived as a player, and he’s been a top guy ever since.

“He’s an unbelievable coach and throughout the last 15 years, he’s been a really good friend to me. Whatever will be, will be on the night. I have to prepare my team the best I can, and he has to prepare his team too—and we’ll let them go at it.

“I texted him after their game against West Ham on Monday and said it’s an incredible achievement to do what we’ve done—and may the best team win on the night.

Our attendances are getting bigger and bigger. We had 1,200 at the last game and we’re hoping to get more for the next one. It’ll be about us on the night and we’ll be striving to secure that place in the final.”

GET MORE NEWS HERE