City’s Under-19s edge closer to UEFA Youth League knockout stages with fine Young Boys win

Following RB Leipzig’s win over Red Star, City will battle against the former for the summit of Group G as we approach the latter end of the group stages. 

Fifteen-year-old Reigan Heskey enjoyed a debut he’ll never forget firing City into an early first half lead from the penalty spot.

Brian Barry-Murphy’s young team continued to flourish at home as Mahamadou Susoho extended our first half lead, firing home a superb free-kick from a tight angle.

And Reigan Heskey was once again involved in the build-up to City’s third goal before Tomas Galvez assisted Matty Henderson-Hall at the back post, with all three goals coming before the break.

WHAT HAPPENED

The travelling Swiss contingent of fans were in fine voice at the Joie Stadium as the game began. 

It was a mild tempo in the opening minutes as City looked to work the ball forward while Young Boys were happy to sit in a compact 4-4-2 formation.

But a burst of energy from City on the left flank soon left the visitors exposed as we took a crucial early lead.

Reigan Heskey, brother of City’s Under-18s captain Jaden, was brought down just inside the box and referee Iwan Griffith immediately pointed to the penalty spot.

Despite being just 15, Reigan Heskey was undeterred by the whistles from Young Boys’ fans by slotting his spot-kick into the bottom right corner to mark his debut in the European showpiece in thrilling style.

Reigan Heskey’s trickery continued to cause Young Boys all sorts of headaches and he was then fouled again just a couple of yards further back to where he had won City’s earlier penalty.

Mahamadou Susoho and Kane Taylor deliberated over the set-piece before the former caught Young Boys keeper Ardian Bajrami out at his near post.

The clever free-kick was struck with force by the midfielder leaving the Young Boys captain unmoved as the ball hit the back of the next to extend City’s lead just over the half hour mark.

Jaden Heskey’s vital goal line headed clearance then denied Young Boys the chance to halve the deficit with their first sight of goal from a corner kick while temperatures began to rise with both teams seeing a flurry of players booked for a series of fouls.

Reigan Heskey was in the thick of the action once more as his perfectly weighted pass into Tomas Galvez allowed the full back to drill the ball across the Young Boys goal.

And this time it was 16-year-old Henderson-Hall who volleyed the ball home at the back post to top off a clinical opening 45 minutes from City.

City started the second half well as the visitors found it difficult to dispossess Barry-Murphy’s side.  

Just over the hour mark, Bajrami slipped with the ball at his feet while under immense pressure from Jaden Heskey. The Young Boys skipper, however, recovered well to see the ball out of danger.

City continued to search for a fourth. Kane Taylor’s floated ball towards the back post was almost met by an outstretched Susoho who leapt high in an attempt to nudge the ball in at the far post.

Substitute Michael Okeke then unleashed a shot from just inside the box but was denied by Bajrami’s fingertips following a good solo run by Josh Adam.

It would be the goal keeper’s final act of the game as he was substituted for Jasha Bracher following an injury during the City’s attack.

Taylor, who bagged a brace in the reverse fixture, thought he had found a late goal for City but both he and Okeke were deemed offside in the build-up.

HOW WE LINED UP

Barry-Murphy made five changes from the side that powered to a 4-0 win over Young Boys in Switzerland a fortnight ago.

There was a change of ‘keeper - part of the usual squad rotation the City head coach likes to implement - with George Murray-Jones in goal.

There were also several younger additions to the squad with a number of key names away on international duty.

Ezra Carrington filled in the gap at right back alongside the regular back line trio of Jahmai Simpson-Pusey, captain Max Alleyne and left back Tomas Galvez.

In midfield, Mahamadou Susoho, Josh Adam and Kane Taylor – who scored a brace in Switzerland 13 days ago – provided a strong central trio.

In the attacking line, Matt Henderson-Hall added width on the right while Jaden Heskey donned the number nine shirt. On his left, there was a familiar face as his younger brother Reigan Heskey made his Youth League debut at the Joie Stadium.

CITY XI: Murray-Jones, Carrington, Simpson-Pusey, Alleyne ©, Galvez, Susoho (Wright 73’), Henderson-Hall, Adam, J Heskey, Taylor, R Heskey (Okeke 46’)

SUBS: Grant, Smith, Thomas, Wright, Okeke, Naylor, Harrison

YOUNG BOYS XI: Bajrami © (Bracher 70’), Thermoncy, Murith, Henchoz, Seilar (Ogouvide 46’), Dema, Deme, Rufener (Jost 60’), Luthi, Dalipi (Bomo 29’), Maluvunu 

SUBS: Bracher, Bomo, Ogouvide, Jost, Mendes, Borges, Wyss

What it means

City are top of Group F with 10 points from four games.

Following RB Leipzig’s win over Red Star, only City and the German side can progress to the next stage of the European competition. 

We will battle RB Leipzig for the top spot which guarantees automatic promotion to the knockout stage. 

The team who places second in the group will have to feature in a play-off game in order to reach the Round of 16

What’s next

The City youngsters return to action on Tuesday, November 28 when we play host to RB Leipzig in our penultimate group game.