City U18s run rampant in thrilling win over Forest

City made the perfect start when Christian Dunbar-McDonald fired us ahead inside the opening 10 minutes with a superb strike from distance.

Floyd Samba converted from close range on 62 minutes before Teddie Lamb guided home a fantastic half volley, teed up beautifully by Dunbar-McDonald.

Harrison Miles then scored a sublime strike from distance after a well-worked corner and was quickly joined by Tyrone Samba on the scoresheet with a clever chipped effort.

Dunbar-McDonald completed the afternoon with our sixth and final goal in our biggest win of the season as we extended our winning run to four in the league.

WHAT HAPPENED

Typical Manchester weather meant pitch eight at the City Football Academy was a wet one.

But the dark, damp weather didn’t deter Oliver Reiss’ youngsters, who looked to take control of the game quickly.

Forest goalkeeper Joseph Bailey was called into action a handful of times inside the opening five minutes, denying Lamb and Miles.

But he couldn’t stop City’s next attack; Dunbar-McDonald picking up the ball on the left corner of the Forest box and  showcasing his fabulous ability to shoot from distance with a strike into the top right corner for his fourth in three league appearances.

Both sides had half-chances before the break before City cut loose with an unstoppable second half performance.

Quick link-up play between Miles, Ryan McAidoo and Floyd Samba saw the latter finish the sequence, curling his low shot into the bottom left corner to give City some breathing space with just under 30 minutes left to play.

Lamb made it three on 70 minutes when he was found in the centre of the Forest box by Dunbar-McDonald. The City number nine still had work to do but he controlled the ball with his chest before smashing home first time.

Scott Hamilton had Forest’s best chance of the half immediately after but his sliding effort rolled just wide of the right post.

Our opponents looked deflated, and it didn’t stop Reiss’ side from pushing for more goals.

This time, skipper Miles added his name to the scoresheet when his 25-yard strike flew perfectly into the top-right corner.

Tyron Samba scored his fifth league goal of the season, a nice chipped finish over Bailey, before Dunbar-McDonald got his second of the afternoon.

On top of the six fantastic strikes, City’s confidence will be boosted by the impressive feat of denying Forest a shot on target as our attention now turns to the FA Youth Cup.

TEAMS

CITY XI | Hudson, Courtman, Obin, Drake, Wain, Miles, McAidoo (Oliver 63’), F. Samba, Lamb (Midwood 73’), T. Samba (Whisker 82’), Dunbar-McDonald.

SUBS | Vickery, Holt. 

FOREST XI | Bailey, Andrews (Bradshaw 54’), Sutton, Broomes, Thompson, Davies, Brandy, Djamna (Samuels 81’), Hamilton, Robinson (Lokote 76’) Smith.

SUBS | Graham, Willows. 

AS A RESULT

City stay at the Under-18 Premier League North summit, with a five-point gap between our young boys in blue and second-place Newcastle United.

After 10 games, Reiss’ side have an impressive 27 points from our nine wins and one defeat.

UP NEXT

In our penultimate game of 2025, City’s Under-18s will now turn our attention to the FA Youth Cup.

Friday 5 December will be our first outing in the competition. We enter the cup in the third round and will welcome Fulham to the Joie Stadium for a 19:00 (UK) kick-off.

The game will be available to watch live, via CITY+, on mancity.com and the Official Man City App.