City U18s triumph in tough test against Liverpool

Divine Mukasa’s penalty after 12 minutes fired City ahead after weathering an initial storm from the Reds.

Liverpool equalised near the half-hour mark through Josh Sonni-Lambie who scored from close-range.

It took City just two minutes to regain the lead. Defender Kian Noble turned striker as he converted Mukasa’s corner.

A tense second half would likely see the next goal swing the game. And it swung in favour of City as substitute Kaden Braithwaite scored his first league goal to help us secure another important three points in the title race.

WHAT HAPPENED

City’s Under-18s were back on home soil, ready to fight for another three points and looking to extend our winning run  to seven in all competitions.

Liverpool tried to disrupt City’s game plan of enjoying early possession but the Reds couldn’t find a definite threat from any area of the pitch as the game got underway.

Reiss’s team were happy to be patient, waiting for the right moment to strike, knowing a chance would come following our clinical form in front of any opponent’s goal.

And on 13 minutes Liverpool struggled to clear their lines and in turn, Mukasa fired City ahead from the penalty spot – our 18th goal in four league matches.

The midfielder’s high looping cross was nodded down by Ryan McAidoo at the far post and looked goal-bound but the bounce redirected the ball away from the Liverpool goal.

Matty Warhurst tried to pounce on the loose ball but a foul on the City striker by Louie Enahoro-Marcus left referee Daniel Hitchell no choice but to award the spot kick which Mukasa placed into the bottom right corner. 

Three minutes after the restart, Warhurst almost doubled City’s advantage. His headed effort was denied by ‘keeper Bailey Hall who managed to be in the right place to deny the striker from two yards out. 

Liverpool did showcase their threat at the opposite end of the pitch on 24 minutes. A long through ball by Hall to Clae Ewing saw him make a driving run into our box.

City were scrambling but captain Noble managed to track back just in time to deny Joe Bradshaw who was waiting just behind him to tap home.  

Their next attack, however, would see them score. After failing to clear Liverpool’s free-kick, Sonni-Lambie converted from close-range despite Max Hudson’s best effort to meet the low loose ball.  

Unfazed by the unfortunate equaliser, City instead focused on regaining our lead. And it took two minutes to do so.

Mukasa’s corner floated into the Liverpool box and was initially met by Noble with a header.

The effort was blocked and the defender was quickest to react, stabbing at the ball as it squeezed past multiple bodies and into the back of the Reds’ net to restore City’s lead in the final threatening attack in the opening 45 minutes.

From kick-off, the ball flew from one end of the pitch to the other. Liverpool’s first attack of the second half was blocked by Seth Chingwaro who then helped City counter.

Kylan Midwood’s cross from the right was met by the rising Warhurst but his glancing header veered away from goal inside the opening minute.

Afterwards Liverpool continued to enjoy more of the ball, attacking with pace which City struggled to stop. Chances for Bradshaw and Ahmed either flew wide or were saved by the confident shot-stopped Hudson.

Protests from the visitors then echoed around the CFA on the hour mark.

Noble was perhaps fortunate a penalty wasn’t given  as he collided with Scofield Lonmeni in the City box.

Another round of protests would follow again later in the game but were waved away quickly by the referee with Liverpool growing frustrated by City’s strength. 

Reiss’ team were in need of breathing space with Liverpool still knocking on the door. And it was provided by substitute Kaden Braithwaite.

Mukasa’s corner was placed perfectly at the back post and Braithwaite put his body on the line, producing a diving header to ensure the Liverpool net would bulge.

The 16-year-old’s first league goal left City relieved as we held our own in a tough clash that saw us move to second in the Under-18 Premier League North.

HOW WE LINED UP

Goalkeeper Max Hudson picked up his fifth appearance for City’s Under-18s and worked with a defensive line of Seth Chingwaro, Charlie Courtman, Kian Noble and Oliver Tevenan.

In midfield, Harrison Miles, Floyd Samba and Divine Mukasa ran City’s engine room.

Matty Warhurst led the charge for Oliver Reiss’s side with Kylan Midwood and Ryan McAidoo on hand to provide attacking width.

CITY XI | Hudson, Chingwaro, Courtman, Noble (Braithwaite 70’), Tevenan, Miles (Fapetu 77’), McAidoo, Samba (Gorman 70’), Warhurst, Mukasa, Midwood (Nfonkeu 77’).

SUBS | Doran.  

LIVERPOOL XI | Hall, Pitt, Ewing, Furnell-Gill, Enahoro-Marcus, Upton, Lonmeni (Ngumoha 61’), O’Connor, Sonni-Lambie, Ahmed, Bradshaw.

SUBS | Ever, Bernard, Martin, Moran.

WHAT IT MEANS

The three points mean City extend our winning form to seven in all competitions, six in the Under-18 Premier League North.

Everton’s win over Derby County means City move to second on goal difference, level on 19 points with the Rams. 

UP NEXT

An important to-of-the-table battle will take place next weekend.

We travel to second-place Derby County for a 12:00 (UK) kick-off on Saturday 9 November.