City U18s extend winning run to 10 matches with Newcastle triumph

Dexter Oliver put City ahead inside the opening 10 minutes, scoring his second in as many games with the midfielder thriving in Oliver Reiss’ team after joining last summer.

Four minutes before half-time, in-form Christian Dunbar-McDonald executed a fine finish to help further boost City’s momentum ahead of the second half.

The 18-year-old didn’t slow down after the break, scoring a brilliant left-footed effort to make it three. 

But, Newcastle pulled one back through defender Henry Johnson with 15 minutes left to play as the game began to open up a little. 

The Magpies continued to pile on the pressure and were awarded a late penalty after a shot unfortunately hit Yohann Obin’s arm. 

Kacey Wooster stepped up to take the spot kick, but the towering Ben Vickery got down to his left quickly to make a fantastic save and ensure City ran out 3-1 victors and maintain our grip at the top of the Under-18 Premier League North. 

WHAT HAPPENED

City were handed the perfect opportunity to take an early lead, and Oliver didn’t disappoint on nine minutes.

Newcastle goalkeeper Dowell came out to clear a deep through ball that was intended for Oliver. But the shot stopper slipped on the edge of his area and Oliver converted into an empty net.

The opening 45 minutes saw momentum constantly shifting but City once again enjoyed the more fruitful chances through the industrious Xavier Parker.

And just before the break, a key goal from Dunbar-McDonald grounded the Magpies.

The winger cut inside from the left and took his time to find the perfect moment to shoot.

When it came, Dunbar-McDonald curled a superb effort into the bottom right corner for his 11th league goal in 12 games.

Newcastle claims for a penalty fell on deaf ears on 56 minutes. Rory Finneran felt Harrison Miles gave him a nudge in the back after the Magpies midfielder picked up the ball following a misplaced pass by City goalkeeper Vickery.

In an instant, Dunbar-McDonald went straight up the other end of the pitch and fired a vicious left-footed effort into the top right corner to put City firmly in the driving seat.

But once again the momentum shifted and it saw Vickery called into action on 68 minutes as the visitors carved out their best chance of the match.

The England youth international’s quick-reaction save denied substitute Wooster, who tried to guide the ball home from inside the six-yard box, to maintain our clean sheet.

Newcastle skipper Henry Johnson placed his header into the far left corner, nodding home Mason Miley’s floated free-kick after a spell of pressure from the visitors.

The Magpies were not denied a penalty the second time of asking as we entered added time.

Substitute Obin saw a long range shot unfortunately fly into his arm and substitute Wooster stepped up to take the spot kick.

But Vickery looked calm and composed and ready to deny Newcastle a second. And the 16-year-old did just that.

He got down to his left quickly to deny Wooster and in turn confirm a 10th successive triumph for City in all competitions, comprised of eight wins in the Under-18 Premier League North and two in the FA Youth Cup.

HOW WE LINED UP

CITY XI | Vickery, Headley, Drake, Barrett, Tevenan, Miles, Oliver (Midwood 60’), Gorman, X. Parker, T. Samba (Cassim 60’), Dunbar-McDonald (Whisker 70’)

SUBS | Hudson, Obin.  

NEWCASTLE XI | Dowell, Johnson, Morgan (Hutchinson 83’), Durrant, Moran, Finneran, Tika-Lemba (Taylor 63’), Miley, Ferreira (Wooster 63’), Lucas (Pinnington) , Mills.

SUBS | Anderson.  

AS A RESULT

City remain top of the Under-18 Premier League North table, with a seven-point lead over second-place Manchester United.

Reiss’ Under-18s also have two games in hand over title chasers United.

UP NEXT

Our attention now turns to our FA Youth Cup campaign.

We travel to Kingsmeadow for our fifth round clash with Under-18 Premier League South league leaders Chelsea.

Kick-off is scheduled for 19:00 (UK) on Monday 9 February, with comprehensive coverage of the match available on mancity.com and the Official Man City App on the night of the game.