Heskey brace helps City U18s extend lead at league summit

We couldn’t have wished for a better start after Heskey converted a penalty three minutes into the match after the winger was fouled by Evan Boulter.

Towards the end of the first half, Tyrone Samba doubled our lead on his debut for the Under-18s. The midfielder tapped in a spilled ball from Keehan Willows after a Dante Headley cross.

Matty Warhurst guided the ball into the back of the net in the second half before Heskey capped off the scoring with a curling effort.

It completed another dominant performance as City picked up our 13th successive win to extend our lead at the league summit to five points after Manchester United dropped points in their league encounter with Newcastle United. 

WHAT HAPPENED

After progressing into the quarter-finals of the FA Youth Cup last Tuesday, Oliver Reiss’s side were in full confidence travelling to Nottingham Forest.

With second-placed Manchester United dropping points last weekend - and would later drop points in their Saturday afternoon outing - there was an opportunity to solidify our position at the top of the table and City did just that inside the opening five minutes. 

120 seconds after the game began, Heskey won a penalty after being fouled by Boulter inside the box and the Under-18s top scorer converted the spot kick to hand City an early lead.

Christian Dunbar-McDonald nearly doubled our lead moments later as he tried to steer the ball past Willows. The winger displayed some neat footwork to give himself space to shoot but dragged his right-footed shot narrowly wide of the far left post. 

City continued to pile on the pressure and this time Finlay Gorman won the ball back in Forest’s defensive third and cushioned the ball to Warhurst, whose attempt from the edge of the box, travelled comfortably into the ‘keeper’s gloves.

Forest would later enjoy a small period of possession. During that spell, Fuad Smith powered forward with the ball before he brought Cormac Daly into play.

Daly’s cross was nearly guided in by centre-back Charlie Courtman, but it was, fortunately, directed straight into Max Hudson’s hands. 

Reiss’s side knew a second goal would prove vital in the outcome of our latest test. And just before the break, the young boys in blue doubled our lead. 

Headley crossed the ball from the right and Willows spilled the ball. It landed to Samba who tapped in his first goal on his maiden start in the Under-18 Premier League North.

It could of been three not long into the second half as Dunbar-McDonald played Headley through, who had made a darting inverted run, but the full-back chose power over accuracy as the ball fired high and wide.

City continued to put Forest on the back foot in the second-half and half-time substitute Divine Mukasa forced a save from Willows when his half-volley flew goal bound. 

A third goal was in our future on 72 minutes, as Dunbar-McDonald crossed perfectly into Warhurst and the striker’s shot was too powerful for the Forest shot-stopper. 

Mukasa provided quality from the bench, as he set up Kaden Braithwaite on the edge of the box and his strike was matched by an outstretched Willows, who kept the ball out to reflect a more respectful scoreline for the hosts. 

But City would break through the Forest line one final time, just after Mukasa saw his headed effort rattle the crossbar. 

Heskey completed his brace after another eye-catching performance, curling a right-footed shot past Willows to help City sweep the East Midlands outfit aside. 

HOW WE LINED UP

Goalkeeper, Max Hudson, was selected to start and he was shielded by a back four of captain, Kaden Braithwaite, Kian Noble, Charlie Courtman and Dante Headley.

Harrison Miles anchored the midfield, with Finally Gorman and Tyrone Samba playing further up supporting the attack.

Matty Warhurst was positioned as a sole striker, supported by Christian Dunbar-McDonald and top goalscorer, Reigan Heskey.

FOREST XI | Willows, Sanneh (C), Bartley, Boulter, Broomes, Davies, Daly (87’ Hamilton), A Bradshaw, Powell, Smith (87’ Robinson), Brandy (90’ K Bradshaw)

SUBS | Bailey, Lokote

CITY XI | Hudson, Headley, Courtman (64’ Parker), Noble, Braithwaite (C), Miles (63’ Fapetu), Dunbar-McDonald, Gorman, Warhurst (73’ Fletcher), Samba (46’ Mukasa), Heskey

SUBS | Doran

WHAT IT MEANS

Victory for Oliver Reiss’s team means we remain in top spot in the Under-18s Premier League North on 40 points. 

The result also represented our 13th successive win in the league, and during that run we have scored a league high 61 goals and conceded only 11.

WHAT’S NEXT

City’s Under-18s face a tough assignment next weekend as we play host to Tyne and Wear outfit, Sunderland who are positioned 4th in the league.

Kick-off is scheduled for 12:30 (UK) on Saturday 22 February and CITY+ subscribers will be able to watch the action live.

Next Fixture

All fixtures

Sat 22 Feb

Premier League U18

Man City

12:30

GMT

SAFC