City's Under-18s complete 2024 with league win over Stoke

Divine Mukasa broke the deadlock just after the half-hour mark with a beautifully crafted goal which included a dummy sequence with Matty Warhurst.

Early second half efforts from defender Charlie Courtman, Mukasa and Christian Dunbar-McDonald put the game out of reach for the Potters with Tommy McNally’s goal a consolation before the full-time whistle blew. 

The result topped off a fantastic start to the 2024/25 campaign for Oliver Reiss’s side who sit second in the Under-18 Premier League North.

WHAT HAPPENED

It was a chilly but sunny setting for our final Under-18 Premier League North game of 2024.

And the idea of completing the start of the 2024/25 season with just one loss in 11 league games was more than enough motivation for Oliver Reiss’s side who were full of energy from kick-off.

But the Potters were well-organised, compact in midfield and quick to press the ball when City looked to move play out wide. It meant we had to be patient and clinical when pushing the Stoke players back, similar to our narrow FA Youth Cup win over Crystal Palace the week prior. 

Mukasa registered a decent chance on target from the edge of the box on 16 minutes after the midfielder found a nice pocket of space between Stoke’s defence and midfield. ‘Keeper Michael Zeitzen saved the shot comfortably but it was a warning sign of what was to come. 

Facing the sun proved tricky for City’s defenders when Stoke looked to play a high long ball. But the brief spell of pressure for the visitors was dealt with well and Gabe Kelly’s overhit effort was the only danger Max Hudson’s goal faced as we approached the 25-minute mark.

Patient and pretty build-up play from back to front by City ended with a Harrison Miles shot on the edge of the Stoke box. It was as far as Reiss’s side could advance with our opponents holding a strong line.

A fantastic, line-breaking pass by Kian Noble towards the path of Mukasa dragged centre-back Pijus Otegbayo out of position on the edge of the box. But it was a ruse as Mukasa dummied the ball through his legs to Warhurst waiting behind. The latter played an instant pass to Mukasa who buried his left-footed shot into the bottom right corner on 33 minutes. A beautifully constructed goal!

Joshua Maskall had Stoke’s best chance of the game on the brink of half-time. His thumping effort on the edge of the City box was punched away by Hudson to maintain our advantage at the break.

City began the second half strong again. Impressive link-up play and footwork by Kylan Midwood and Finlay Gorman saw the latter then curl an inviting cross towards the back post.

Warhurst rose highest and connected well but his header flew straight into the hands of Zeitzen on 48 minutes.

It was clear City wanted to find the back of the Stoke net much sooner than what we did in the opening 45 minutes.

And the first of the second half goals came from right-back Courtman. The defender helped City overload Stoke’s box as we pressed for an all-important second.

Courtman bagged his first league goal, a composed finish at the near post which squeezed past Zeitzen, on 54 minutes.

Stoke continued to struggle to match City’s intensity after the break which Reiss’s side continued to capitalise on.

Three minutes after the restart Mukasa bagged his second, City’s third, after brilliant trickery in the box before his right-footed effort flew under Zeitzen.

Stoke proved to be a threat on occasion. Hudson denied substitute Elliot Fearn with a strong save but the visitors would finally find the back of the City net.

With his first touch of the game, substitute McNally headed home Maskall’s cross from deep on 75 minutes. The Potters goal added a small amount of pressure to the game with City now focused on holding out for three points.

On his return from injury, Dunbar-McDonald and substitute Dan Batty were unfortunate not to extend City’s lead with inviting chances but the former would later make the Stoke net bulge in what was City’s final attack of the game.

A low cross from Midwood was met by Dunbar-McDonald in the centre of the box. His first-time finish completed the match in fine fashion for our Under-18s.

HOW WE LINED UP

Max Hudson was named City’s number one. A defensive line of Charlie Courtman, Kian Noble, Kaden Braithwaite and Dante Headley was tasked with protecting our goal.

In City’s engine room, Harrison Miles, Finlay Gorman and Divine Mukasa worked hard to connect all areas of the pitch.

Matty Warhurst led the attack with Reigan Heskey and Kylan Midwood on either side.

CITY XI | Hudson, Courtman, Noble, Braithwaite, Headley (Tevenan 82’), Miles, Midwood, Gorman, Warhurst (Fletcher 66’), Mukasa (Batty 71’), R. Heskey (Dunbar-McDonald 66’).

SUBS | Grigg. 

STOKE XI | Zeitzen, Dixon, Agina, Anderson, Otegbayo, Kelly, Maskall, Enabulele (Walker 90+2’), Bailey (McNally 73’), Liu, Nzau (Fearn 55’).

SUBS | Brammer, Togo. 

WHAT IT MEANS

City stay second in the Under-18 Premier League North.

We are two points behind leaders Manchester United who have one game in hand.

UP NEXT

Our Under-18s have a brief break over the Christmas period. They return to action with a home league clash with Everton in the new year.

We welcome the Toffees to the City Football Academy for an 11:30 (UK) kick-off on Saturday 11 January.