Five-star Under-18s stretch winning streak in commanding fashion

The Blues’ youngsters made an electric start and were ahead inside five minutes, Kylan Midwood opening the scoring with a lovely volley at the back post.

Floyd Samba and Reigan Heskey then extended our lead further either side of half-time.

Luca Fletcher also got in on the scoring act, delivering the pick of the goals, with a thunderous strike.

And close to full time, Heskey sealed the deal with his second goal of the game as Oliver Reiss’s side made it four straight wins in the league.

WHAT HAPPENED

An autumnal Saturday brought a brisk, sunny morning at the City Football Academy.

The players’ focus turned back to Under-18s Premier League North action after the international break as Reiss’s side looked to extend our excellent form.

City commanded proceedings from the off and tested the Blackburn defence with a ball into the box and after a nervous scramble, Divine Mukasa saw his shot deflected.

Mukasa then had time and space on the edge of the box to whip in an excellent ball to the back post, and Midwood raced in to fire a lovely volley past Blake Wolsoncroft to give City an early lead inside five minutes.

Blackburn were attempting to play a high line, which was playing into the hands of Midwood and Reigan Heskey, and two minutes after the deadlock was broken, City had a second.

Quick play down the left presented Heskey with an opportunity to cross the ball in and after hitting a body of players, Floyd Samba acted quickest to the loose ball and the power of his shot was enough to guide the effort home.

Reiss’ side were dominating possession and keeping the visitors at bay with Luca Fletcher the next City player to have a shot at goal, but his effort was saved down low.

An eye-catching switch of play to the left saw Heskey have the room to race up a gear and drive at the Rovers defence.

The City winger changed direction and directed the ball onto his right foot before testing the Rovers keeper from 18-yards.

The visitors came out re-energised in the second-half, but City quickly got back into our stride and extended the lead early after the restart.

Another opportunity out on the wing led to a cross through to the ever present Midwood. His initial effort was saved, but Heskey was there to tap in from close range.

City overplayed at the back and Valentin Joseph had a chance to shoot into an empty net, but he was off balance and skewed his attempt wide of the post.

Down at the other end, Blackburn had a misplaced pass of their own, and City made them pay as Fletcher smashed a superb effort into the top corner off the crossbar from a tight angle.

And superb afternoon’s work was then sealed two minutes from time when the impressive Heskey charged down the left flank before finishing in style.

HOW WE LINED UP

Max Hudson was between the sticks, with a back four of Charlie Courtman, Leke Drake, Kaden Braithwaite and Oliver Tevenan protecting him.

Femi Fapetu sat in front of the defence, with Floyd Samba and Divine Mukasa accompanying him in the midfield.

Leading the line was Luca Fletcher, with Reigan Heskey and Dylan Midwood on either wing.

CITY XI: Hudson, Courtman, Drake, Braithwaite (C) (58’ Noble), Tevenan, Fapetu, Midwood (72’ McAidoo), Samba (58’ Batty) , Fletcher, Mukasa (72’ Miles), Heskey

Subs: Doran

BLACKBURN ROVERS XI: Wolsoncroft, Mansbridge, Pates, Houghton (C), Eze, Willis (58’ Dunn), Edmondson (65’ Frakas), Shorrocks, Boggan (58’ Joseph), Care, Dlamini (81’ Leatherbarrow)

Subs: Thompson

WHAT IT MEANS

City move into third place in the Under-18s Premier League North table on 13 points, at the time of writing, with Sunderland playing Manchester United in a later kick-off.

WHAT’S NEXT

Oliver Reiss’ side are back in Under-18 Premier League action next weekend as we travel to Teesside to face Middlesbrough at Rockliffe Park.

Kick-off is at 11:00 (UK) KO on Saturday 26 October.