BEAU MacDonald will be swapping cross-country runs for cup runs when Southend United’s youth team host MK Dons at Roots Hall on Tuesday night.

MacDonald won his 10th successive Borough Sports cross-country title earlier this month.

But the talented teenager has opted for football over athletics and hopes to be given his first taste of FA Youth Cup action in tomorrow evening’s second round clash.

“It’s a great experience being with the 18s and I can’t wait to make my first appearance in the FA Youth Cup,” said the 15-year-old, who has been on the bench for the previous three rounds.

“Hopefully that will come this year but I’m enjoying football.

“It was a tough choice over which sport to pick but I had to follow my heart.

“I’d been playing football since I was two and I wanted to stick with it.

“I’m a decent runner but I prefer playing football because I’m with all my mates.”

MacDonald, who plays as an attacking number 10, clearly has talents in both sports and was crowned national cross-country champion for his age-group back in 2019.

But closer to home he has also tasted incredible success, even when unprepared for the event.

“I hadn’t really trained or practised this year because I had been focusing on football but I was told on the Monday I would be running on the Wednesday and I was a bit shocked,” said MacDonald.

“I was nervous as well because I hadn’t run properly in over a year but I ended up first.

“I’ve been running it since Year 1 and it was cancelled in Year 9 because of Covid but it felt good to win it again.

“I had two sessions after the race that day though so I was pretty tired that night!”

MacDonald will now be in the running for the place in the Shrimpers squad on Tuesday night.

But the midfielder – who has been at the club since he was six – is expecting a stern test against MK Dons.

“Last time we played in my age group then played some older ones and we beat them 2-1 but it was a tough game,” said the Rochford based MacDonald.

“It was quite physical and they’re a good team who like to hunt you down in packs.

“But we’re looking forward to it, especially with the match being at Roots Hall again.”

The winners of Tuesday night's tie, which kicks off at 7.30pm, will host Middlesbrough in the third round.

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