EDS power past Arsenal to reach PL2 play-off quarter-finals

In what proved an enthralling and engrossing Round of 16 clash at the Joie Stadium, Nypan had seen a 26th minute penalty saved before the young Gunners opened the scoring just before the break through Andre Harriman-Annous.

City though hit back 10 minutes after the restart to draw level thanks to a McFarlane volley.

Nypan then atoned for his penalty miss by deservedly firing City ahead just past the hour.

And McAidoo struck in style late on to seal a hard-earned victory and earn Ben Wilkinson’s defending champions a last eight trip to Aston Villa.

The game in brief

The two sides locked horns in what was a virtual rematch of last season when the pair met in the PL2 play-off quarter-finals.

On that occasion City came from behind to record a thrilling 3-2 win against the young Gunners.

This time round it was a cagey, measured start from both sides on a sun-drenched spring evening before City sprang a 20th minute opening with a fierce Reigan Heskey shot being well saved by Gunners keeper Tommy Setford.

At the other end, City keeper Spike Brits then earned his spurs 60 seconds later by parrying away Evan Mooney’s near post effort.

But City’s forward persistence looked to have been rewarded on 26 minutes when we were awarded a penalty after Heskey was brought down in the box.

Nypan stepped up to take the penalty but saw Setford make a fine save to his left with the Arsenal keeper then performing wonders to thwart Charlie Gray’s follow up.

City then came agonisingly close again on 32 minutes when Matty Warhurst’s goalbound effort from a McAidoo corner was cleared off the line.

It was end to end stuff with Arsenal then coming within a whisker of opening the scoring with Josh Ogunnaike’s header the bar from an in-swinging Ceadach O’Neil corner with skipper Marli Salmon seeing his follow up effort hacked off the line.

And it was the visitors who did make the breakthrough two minutes before the break, with Andre Harriman-Annous netting from close range as he latched on a miscued strike from Mooney.

City came out for the second half with an increased tempo and intensity - and that garnered a quick reward when we drew level on 55 minutes through McFarlane’s volley.

The full-back latched onto a pinpoint Heskey cross and made no mistake from close range.

Heskey’s silky skills then caused more havoc, the left winger striking the foot of the Arsenal post with a superb effort just shy of the hour.

Within a minute the Blues were deservedly ahead, Nypan atoning for his penalty miss by firing home after Setford could only parry out Nfonkeu’s searching cross.

And a superb second half City display was then rounded off six minutes from time when McAidoo dispatched a stunning finish after powering into the Gunners box.

How we lined up

Spike Brits was in goal and shielded by a back four of Brooklyn Nfonkeu, skipper Kian Nobe, Kaden Braithwaite and Christian McFarlane.

Charlie Gray was the holding midfielder with Sverre Nypan and Floyd Samba also in the engine room.

Matty Warhurst was the attacking focal point with Reigan Heskey and Ryan McAidoo providing the width.

CITY EDS: Brits, Nfonkeu (Henderson-Hall 80), Noble (c), Braithwaite, McFarlane, Gray, Samba (Dada-Mascoll 74), Nypan, McAidoo, R Heskey, Warhurst (Sangare 69)

Subs: Parker, Hudson

ARSENAL: Setford, Nichols (Agustien 84), Washington (Hamill 69) , Salmon (c), Ogunnaike, Ibrahim, Bailey-Joseph (Ferdinand 69), Dudziak (Julienne78), Mooney, O’Neill, Harriman-Annous

Subs: Porter

What it means

The City youngsters progress through to the PL2 play-off quarter-finals.

Our reward is a last eight clash away to Aston Villa who overcame Southampton in their Round of 16 clash.

What’s next

A trip to Aston Villa in the quarter-finals now awaits the Elite Development Squad.

A date and kick-off time for the tie is yet to be confirmed.