City advance to FA Youth Cup final with comeback win over Blackburn

We were faced with a difficult task early on when Blackburn took the lead through Valentin Joseph just before the 15-minute mark.

After fighting tooth and nail for an equaliser, Ryan McAidoo finally drew us level just before the break with a low-driven finish for his third goal in the competition.

City took a deserved lead early in the second half when Teddie Lamb tapped home Floyd Samba’s rebound before Reigan Heskey then doubled our lead from the penalty spot.

Oliver Tevenan’s then made it four with his first-ever goal in the prestigious competition to confirm victory for our young boys in blue.

We will face Manchester United or Crystal Palace in the final on home soil.

Their semi-final will take place on Friday 17 April, with confirmation of City’s opponent to be on our website and app shortly after full-time.

WHAT HAPPENED

As the sun began to set across the Manchester skyline, City’s semi-final fight for a place in the final began.

However, it wasn’t the most ideal start despite Oliver Reiss’ side dominating possession in the opening minutes.

The visitors took a surprise lead with their first shot on target after Valentin Joseph latched onto a long ball over the top of City’s defence and managed to guide his shot around Max Hudson on 11 minutes.

City searched for an equaliser for the remainder of the half, with chances for Harrison Miles, Teddie Lamb and Kaden Braithwaite all saved, blocked and flew just wide of the Blackburn goal respectively.

Our hard work was finally rewarded with our first through Ryan McAidoo who cut inside onto his clinical left foot and calmly slotted the ball into the near corner on 45 minutes.

It sparked what was a chaotic end to the first half when Floyd Samba was fouled by Joseph in the box and City were awarded an added time spot kick.

Floyd Samba stepped up to take, but Harry Holt went the correct way, diving low to his right to stop City from taking the lead before the break.

The feisty nature of the opening 45 minutes extended into the second half, with both teams fighting hard to take the lead.

To the home crowd’s delight, it was City who struck first on 52 minutes.

Teddie Lamb tapped home the rebound on the goal line after Floyd Samba’s initial effort from close range was denied by Blackburn ‘keeper Holt.

A few minutes after the restart, McAidoo almost got his second of the match when his ranged effort from the right slipped out of Holt’s arms and almost fell over the goal line, but the Blackburn goalkeeper managed to pounce on the loose ball before Lamb.

It proved to be precursor for what followed. Spurred on by the fans and taking the lead, City looked to extend our gap.

Floyd Samba was fouled in the Blackburn box again just after the hour mark and City were awarded a second penalty of the evening.

Reigan Heskey fired the spot kick into the top left corner for his second FA Youth Cup goal in as many games.  

Oliver Tevenan added a fourth with a first-time finish from the edge of the Blackburn box with just over 15 minutes left to play, a deserved goal for the full-back who was in the right place at the right time to get his shot away.  

A late Hudson save to deny Joseph a second of the night for Blackburn left our opponents frustrated as City advance to the final of the FA Youth Cup for a second successive season under Reiss.

HOW WE LINED UP

CITY XI | Hudson, Headley (Courtman 90’), Drake, Braithwaite, Tevenan, Miles, McAidoo (Dunbar-McDonald 75’), F. Samba (Cassim 81’), Lamb (X. Parker 75’), T. Samba (Gorman 68’), R. Heskey.

SUBS | Vickery, Wain.  

BLACKBURN XI | Holt, Wilkinson (Pitt 82’), Pates, Decandia, Kelley-Quinn, Dunn (Lister 82’), McCoy (Higgins 82’), Ball, Joseph, Vare (Pitt 72’), Tyjon.

SUBS | McIlroy, Krajewski, Lister, Mansbridge, Sergeant, Higgins.

AS A RESULT

City advance to the final of the FA Youth Cup.

We will face Manchester United or Crystal Palace on home soil next month.

Keep across mancity.com and the Official Man City App for updates on a confirmed opponent, date and kick-off time for the showpiece.

UP NEXT

It’s a quick turnaround for our Under-18s who now look to prepare for our Under-18 Premier League North clash with Sunderland.

We welcome the Black Cats to the City Football Academy on Tuesday 14 April, with kick-off set for 12:30 (UK).

The match will be available to watch live on our website and app for fans with a CITY+ subscription.