Ben Wilkinson fielded a youthful side at the City Football Academy against the Toffees which will provide valuable experience to those involved.
It means we remain second in the division’s table with two league matches remaining in 2023/24.
WHAT HAPPENED
The visitors started on the front foot and were thwarted by a superb double save by Whatmuff who denied an initial shot then quickly resumed position to deny a second attempt.
Wilkinson’s side then grew into the match and broke the deadlock on 10 minutes through Dunbar-McDonald who cut inside onto his right foot and curled into the top corner.
Both teams continued to create a series of half-chances, but defences were seemingly on top before the visitors equalised on the cusp of half-time through Catesby.
Despite conceding, City immediately pushed forward and almost restored our advantage when Heskey’s shot flew just wide of the post.
That represented the last action of the first 45. However, Wilkinson’s team began quickly after the interval and came within the width of the upright from taking the lead when Dunbar-McDonald’s free-kick struck the woodwork.
With 25 minutes remaining, the visitors were reduced to 10 players when Moonan was dismissed after receiving his second caution.
Although playing with a man extra, City faced a resilient Everton defence meaning the goal we were looking for evaded us.
As a result, the spoils were shared in Manchester.
HOW WE LINED UP
City XI: Whatmuff, Broomes, Drake (C), Mfuni, Headley, Reid, Samba, Chingwaro, Heskey, Liu, Dunbar-McDonald.
Unused substitutes: Midwood, Hudson, Chigwada, Alemida.
Everton XI: Lukjanciks, Samuels-Smith, Van-Schoor, Moonan, Thomas, Foster, Wren (Maher 73’), Gardner (Lambert 78’), Stewart, Bates, Catsby.
Unused substitutes: Barry, Robert, Olayiwola.
WHAT IT MEANS
Following the draw, City remain second in the U18 Premier League North table on 50 points.
WHAT’S NEXT
Next up for our Under-18s is a trip to Stoke in the U18 Premier League North on Saturday 4 May.
The 11:00 (UK) kick-off will be available to watch live on CITY+.
