City exit PL2 play-offs after frustrating United defeat

City made a perfect start in our highly-anticipated Manchester derby when Floyd Samba gave us the lead less than five minutes.

Despite City dominating, United found a way back into the game through a Chido Obi header just before the half hour and the striker quickly gave his team the lead with a second headed goal from close range.

United doubled their advantage before the break through a Shea Lacey penalty and Jack Moorhouse made an uphill battle even bigger for City when he fired a fourth home for United less than two minutes into the second half.

Mamad Sangare provided an instant response, heading home Reigan Heskey’s cross at the back post on 48 minutes.

Floyd Samba made it 4-3 with less than 10 minutes left to play but our young Blues were unable to find the all-important equaliser as the curtain falls on our 2025/26 PL2 campaign.

WHAT HAPPENED

Steadfast on maintaining our unbeaten run on home soil which spans over 12 months, it was an electric start from our young Blues who needed just four minutes to find the back of the United net.

Reigan Heskey spotted Floyd Samba’s darting run in behind and teed him up beautifully to see the 17-year-old fire his first time finish past William Murdock near the left byline.

Floyd Samba had the chance to find a quick second for the Blues on 13 minutes when a long ball over the top by skipper Kian Noble was misjudged by United centre-back Daniel Armer, leaving Floyd Samba in a one-on-one with Murdock.

But the delay and extra touch by Floyd Samba allowed the United goalkeeper to close the gap and make the vital save to keep his team in the game.  

Noble again was the orchestrator, this time playing Christian McFarlane in behind on the left before the full-back played a dangerous ball across the face of the United box on 17 minutes.

Mamad Sangare was close to putting the ball in the back of the United net from two yards out, but scuffed his shot high and over the crossbar.

Reigan Heskey called Murdock into action with a curling right-footed effort before Sverre Nypan fired just wide with chances coming thick and fast for City.

But Wilkinson’s youngsters would rue the missed chances when the game was flipped on its head with two Chido Obi goals.

First he headed home on 29 minutes after Victor Musa’s header back across the face of the City goal assisted his team-mate.  

And he did the same again five minutes later, nodding Shea Lacey’s cross from the right past Spike Brits.

United were then awarded a penalty after referee Oliver MacKey deemed Brooklyn Nfonkeu to have fouled Musa on 42 minutes. Lacey stepped up to take and sent Brits the wrong way to make it 3-1 at the break.

Jack Moorhouse added his name to the scoresheet less than two minutes into the second half, but Sangare provided the perfect response to make it 4-2 on 48 minutes with a headed goal at the back post.

A goal line clearance from Harrison Parker and a fantastic outstretched save by Brits kept City within the game as the clock ticked past the hour mark.

Wilkinson’s side had to be patient when finding our third of the evening but it finally came on the 82nd minute when Floyd Samba guided Reigan Heskey’s cross past Murdock with a volley.

However, not matter how valiantly City fought, our young Blues were unable to find an equaliser and in turn our PL2 campaign has come to a conclusion.

HOW WE LINED UP

CITY XI | Brits, Nfonkeu (Henderson-Hall 50’), H. Parker (Warhurst 90+4’), Noble, McFarlane (Braithwaite 77’), Gray, McAidoo, F. Samba, Sangare, R. Heskey.

SUBS | Hudson, Braithwaite, Dada-Mascoll, Henderson-Hall, Warhurst.

UNITED XI | Murdock, Kamason, Aljofree, Armer, Blanco, Thwaites (McCormack 90+3’), Lacey, Moorhouse, Obi (Scanlon 80’), Fletcher, Musa (Biancheri 89’).

SUBS | Bryne-Hughes, Helafu, Scanlon, Biancheri.

AS A RESULT

City’s 2025/26 Premier League 2 play-off campaign has come to an end.