City U18s fall to frustrating league defeat at the hands of United

In what was a difficult match for City, second half goals from Gabe Biacheri and Bendito Mantato put United ahead despite the young boys in blue looking the better side after the opening 45 minutes. 

Oliver Reiss’s youngsters continued to fight hard but were unable to turn things around come the full-time whistle. 

WHAT HAPPENED

The game started with City looking energetic and ready to fight for three points.

But it would be United who would have the first on-target attempt with Tyler Fletcher’s low effort towards the bottom right corner controlled by Oliver Whatmuff after 13 minutes of City pressure.

The chance gave United confidence and it didn’t take long for the visitors to have their best chance of the half.

Gabe Biacheri’s shot on 17 minutes drifted away from City’s goal, a warning sign of how threatening the visitors can be if given the chance.

As the clock quickly ticked down, the game became more end-to-end and City were next to try our hand at breaking the deadlock.

Just over the half-hour mark, City regained control of the ball from a United goal kick. Christian Dunbar-McDonald played a pass across the opposition’s goal to an unmarked Reigan Heskey.

But the winger was quickly closed down by Murdock who managed to get a toe to the stinging strike.

Moments later Leke Drake tried his hand at attacking after his commanding run left him with space on the edge of the box to unleash a shot. Murdock, however, denied City once again.

Murdock proved to be the man of the moment for United. A dangerous low cross from the left was met by a rising Finlay Gorman near the penalty spot. His header was aimed low and a fantastic save by the United keeper was needed to stop City from taking the lead.

A lapse in concentration with four minutes left to play of the first half saw Fletcher have another stab at putting the visitors ahead but his shot was within Whatmuff’s reach.

The last attack of the game saw Warhurst sent through by Mukasa. The striker sent the defender into a slight dizzy before unleashing a strong right-footed effort which unfortunately flew over the crossbar.

United benefitted from the break the most and found the opener five minutes into the second half. A low cross from the right was tapped in by Biacheri.

Bendito Mantato, who found space in the centre of the box, made it two after his shot crept into the bottom right corner on 58 minutes.

Warhurst, with his final chance before being replaced by Luca Fletcher, tried to half the deficit from close range but his effort was once again denied by Murdock two minutes after the restart. 

The remaining half an hour of football saw City probe at United’s defence but the visitors were able to hold out in what was a frustrating game for Reiss and his players. 

HOW WE LINED UP

Oliver Whatmuff was named as City’s keeper with a back four of Dante Headley, Harrison Parker, Leke Drake and Kaden Braithwaite tasked with defending City’s goal.

In the engine room, Rhys Thomas, Divine Mukasa and Finlay Gorman a strong midfield trio tasked with helping City move up the pitch.

Matty Warhurst led City’s attacking line with Christian Dunbar-McDonald and Reigan Heskey on either wing.

CITY XI: Whatmuff, Headley (Fapetu 78’), Parker, Darke, Braithwaite, Thomas ©, Heskey (McAidoo 66’) , Gorman (Samba 78’), Warhurst (Fletcher 66’) , Mukasa, Dunbar-McDonald.

SUBS: Hudson.  

UNITED XI: Murdock, Kamason, Kukonki (Plunkett 90’), Fitzgerald (Thwaites 75’), Armer, Devany, Mantato, Fletcher, Biacheri, Baumann, James (Ibragimov 80’)

SUBS: Hughes, Mills. 

WHAT IT MEANS

City have one point after our first two league games and sit ninth in the Under-18 Premier League North table. 

UP NEXT

City’s first group game of the Under-18 Premier League Cup awaits.

Reiss and his team travel to Norwich on Tuesday 27 August for a 13:00 (UK) kick-off.

A detailed match report of the clash will be available on mancity.com and the Official Man City App shortly after the game has concluded.