U18s concede late in Newcastle draw

Matty Whittingham put us ahead in the first half before a delightful Joel Ndala chip doubled our lead after the break. 

However, an own goal from City keeper George Murray-Jones was followed up by a stoppage-time equaliser from Johnny Emerson to deny us an opening day victory. 

WHAT HAPPENED 

With a much-changed squad due to many of last season’s crop graduating to the Elite Development Squad, Ben Wilkinson‘s side were frustrated by our opponents in the early stages.

As the first half went on, we started to craft opportunities, with Ndala found sprinting through on goal, firing low but his effort was comfortably saved by Newcastle keeper Aidan Harris.

However, our breakthrough came just two minutes later, with an excellent through ball from Max Alleyne finding Ashton Muir steaming down the left wing. 

The winger broke into the box and found Whittingham to finish, breaking the deadlock with just seven minutes to play in the first half.

We came close to doubling our lead before the break, as Justin Oboavwondo saw a right-footed shot whistle just wide of the far post, but we were forced to settle for a one-goal lead.

Into the second half and City continued to dominate, with Whittingham coming close to adding a second when his long-rage curling strike clipped the top of the crossbar with the goalkeeper beaten. 

Just past the hour mark, we did double our lead in spectacular style when a clipped ball to the back post found Ndala, who produced a sumptuous right-footed volley that looped over the Newcastle stopper.

However, just two minutes later, the deficit was halved as a mix-up in defence led to a mistake from Murray-Jones in the City goal, putting the ball into the back of our own net. 

The own-goal gave the home side confidence, seeing them push forward and put the City defence under the cosh, with Jacob Wright doing well to intercept a dangerous cross from Newcastle winger Emerson. 

However, deep into added time, the Magpies’ pressure told when Emerson skipped past an on-rushing Murray-Jones to slot home into an empty net, denying us what would have been a deserved win in the dying seconds. 

HOW WE LINED UP

Wilkinson selected Murray-Jones in between the sticks, and he was protected by a back four of Michael Okeke, Lakyle Samuel, Max Alleyne and Sebastian Naylor. 

Jacob Wright anchored the midfield behind Nico O’Reilly and Whittingham, who was playing in the more advanced number ten role. 

Ndala provided width down the right with Muir on the left, both supporting striker Justin Oboavwoduo. 

Manchester City U18s

Starting XI: Murray-Jones, Okeke, Samuel, Alleyne, Naylor, Wright, Ndala, O’Reilly, Oboawoduo, Whittingham, Muir. 

Subs: Thomas, Grant, Harrison, Mfuni, Dunbar-McDonald.

Newcastle United U18s

Starting XI: Harris, McNally, Charlton, Bailey, Thompson, McArthur (C), Cooper, Stanton, Parkinson, Miley, Emerson. 

Subs: Munda, Ross, Beresford, Powell, Mavididi. 

WHAT IT MEANS 

We find ourselves sitting in 10th position in these early stages. 

However, most teams have already played two of their games, meaning we are only two points off second-placed Liverpool. 

UP NEXT

Our U18s will next play Derby County in what will be our first home match of the season. 

Kick-off at the City Football Academy will be 11:30 (UK) on Saturday 27 August.