The young Blues ran in five goals in a whirlwind second half display to round off what was arguably our most impressive all-round performance of the season.
Midfielder Ben Knight bagged a brace of goals to cap a superb individual display with D’Margio Wright-Phillips, Jayden Braaf, Cole Palmer and Keke Simmonds also on target.
What happened
City took a while to settle into their rhythm with Boro’s high pressing game proving effective early on.
But gradually the Blues’ intricate passing and movement opened up space with Jayden Braaf and Ben Knight both proving to be particular thorns in the Boro side.
On nine minutes City almost struck when an inviting left-wing cross from Ryan Corrigan was headed just wide by Taylor Harwood-Bellis.
However, City didn’t have to wait to much longer before making the breakthrough.
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The opener arrived on 15 minutes with Braaf supplying a pin-point ball from the left wing which Knight deftly headed home.
Playing with fluidity and economy of effort, the young Blues kept on the front foot with Knight and Lewis Fiorini both shooting narrowly over and Cole Palmer’s inventive back-heel being hacked clear.
City’s dominance if anything intensified after the break and was rewarded by a flurry which brought four goals inside 10 minutes.
Knight capped a fine performance by coolly dispatching Fiorini’s through ball on 53 minutes.
Four minutes later a Knight shot was parried by the Boro keeper only for D’Margio Wright-Phillips to drill home the rebound.
With the visitors all at sea, City struck again on the hour, Braaf also getting his just reward for a sparkling performance by shooting home from 20 yards.
And it was high fives all round on 63 minutes when Cole Palmer got in on the scoring act with a fine strike.
City’s dominant display was then rounded off seven minutes from time when substitute Keke Simmonds dispatched Henri Ogunby’s inviting cross.
How we lined up
James Trafford was in goal shielded by a back four of Henri Ogunby, Taylor Harwood-Bellis, Yeboah Amankwah and Ryan Corrigan.
Skipper Rowan McDonald shielded the midfield with Ben Knight and Lewis Fiorini pushed further forward and Jayden Braaf and D’Margio Wright-Phillips operating on the two flanks.
Cole Palmer was deployed up-front.
What it means
The result saw City leapfrog Boro up into fifth place in the Premier League Under-18 table.
What’s next
City’s Under-18s are back in action at the CFA on Saturday when we entertain Blackburn in the U18 Premier League Cup. Kick-off is 11am.
