Attacking second half performance puts City top of U18PL North table

A frustrating first half saw chances not being capitalised on, as we went into the break level.

But an impressive second 45 from Ben Wilkinson’s side made the difference.

Nico O’Reilly put us ahead after converting Joel Ndala’s cross.

Ndala and Justin Oboavwoduo struck later to cement the victory, as City returned to the summit of the league table.

WHAT HAPPENED

The sun broke out of the clouds as the game kicked off, which replicated our bright start to the game.

Less than five minutes in, Emilo Lawrence did well some dazzling footwork to break free in the box.

His low cross was met by Josh Ndala who fired a shot that was pushed behind by Aiden Harris in the Newcastle goal.

The visitors were sitting deep, as Ben Wilkinson’s side were trying to carve out the opening goal.

A long ball aimed towards Nico O’Reilly but his effort on the volley went high and wide to the frustration of the skipper.

The Magpies’ first opportunity came from a set piece, but the resulting effort flew straight into the gloves of True Grant.

Matty Whittingham and Jaden Heskey both had opportunities go agonisingly wide as we kept pushing to break the deadlock.

Lawrence was causing mayhem for Newcastle’s right side, and he delivered another pinpoint cross to Heskey which was directed straight at the goalkeeper just before half time.

After the interval, Ndala raced through into the box with the ball and struck an effort straight at the goalkeeper.

At the other end, Darren Palmer broke through for Newcastle, as we left ourselves exposed at the back, but Grant was there to meet the attempt.

After a prolonged period of pressure from us, we finally got the breakthrough.

Ndala raced into the box and squared a ball which O’Reilly connected with as he fired a shot into the net to give us the lead.

Moments later, we nearly had a second, as Alfie Harrison stole the ball off the Newcastle goalkeeper, but his shot was cleared off the line by flying black and white bodies.

Newcastle responded with a strike from Ben Parkinson on the counter attack, which was saved superbly by Grant, as it trickled past the post.

As the visitors attacked an equaliser, the game opened up, as substitute Justin Oboavwoduo put on the burners, to run through the defence and poke in our second.

This put us in the mood for more, as Ndala similarly made a run but on the left side, as he curled in a shot at the near post to extend the score line.

HOW WE LINED UP

True Grant was selected in goal for this match, with a back four of Jahmai Simpson-Pusey, Isaiah Dada-Mascoll, Max Alleyne and Matty Whittingham protecting him.

Jacob Wright sat in front of the defence dictating play, with Alfie Harrison and Nico O’Reilly playing further ahead in a midfield trio.

Emilo Lawrence and Joel Ndala started on the flanks with Jaden Heskey playing as a sole striker.

Manchester City Under-18s

XI: Grant, Simpson-Pusey, Dada-Mascoll, Alleyne, Whittingham, Harrison, Wright, O’Reilly (C), Lawrence, Heskey, Ndala

SUBS: Murray-Jones, Naylor, Muir, Alfa-Ruprecht, Oboavwoduo

Newcastle United Under-18s

XI: Harris, Beresford, Thompson, Craggs, Watts, Emerson, Charlton, Powell, Bailey, Palmer, Parkinson (C)

SUBS: Ross, Brayson, Bryant, Neave, Waddani

WHAT IT MEANS

The victory sees us go top of the Under-18s Premier League North and one point clear of Sunderland.

The Wearside outfit did not play this weekend, meaning they have a game in hand over us in the league.

WHAT’S NEXT

An away trip to West Yorkshire is up next for Ben Wilkinson’s young guns, as we face Leeds United in the Under-18s Premier League North.

Kick off is scheduled for 12:00 (UK).