Samba hat-trick helps City’s EDS return to winning ways in PL2

Matty Warhurst gave City a deserved lead after the forward converted Ryan McAidoo’s low-driven cross. 

Ben Wilkinson’s side looked determined to extend our lead, with Stoke unable to get out their half.

And we did just that with the final kick of the opening 45 minutes. Floyd Samba slotted home a composed finish for his first-ever PL2 goal.

With their first clear-cut chance of the match just before the hour mark, the Potters pulled one back through substitute Tyler Martin.

But City retaliated almost instantly. F. Samba got his second of the afternoon with another fine finish.

And he needed just three minutes to complete his first PL2 hat-trick. This time Ashton Muir teed up F. Samba and he showed no hesitation as he fired home from close range.

Muir then added his name to the scoresheet before Warhurst got his second of the afternoon, City’s sixth, to complete the eye-catching performance that sees us climb to eighth in the Premier League 2 table.

WHAT HAPPENED

Gameweek 12 of 20 saw our EDS travel to Stoke for a chilly Friday afternoon kick-off.

City were quick off the mark, peppering Stoke’s goal with early chances from Warhurst.

But the City number nine wouldn’t be denied again on 21 minutes when he tapped home McAidoo’s cross for his second in as many matches.

Our young boys in blue dominated play, and would later record over 70% possession come the final whistle.

But we had to be patient before finding the second. With the final kick of the first half, F. Samba placed a low first-time finish into the far corner after he was played in behind by a cheeky chipped ball by Divine Mukasa.  

In the second half, the Potters showed their threat on the break, and it allowed them to half the deficit on 55 minutes. 

Substitute Martin unleashed his shot as he broke into the City box, the effort just out of reach for Jack Wint.

Despite the pressure from Stoke, Wilkinson’s youngsters remained focused and determined to get back to winning ways.

F. Samba once again showed maturity beyond his years in a tight space. He received the ball on the half turn by R. Heskey and quickly got his shot off, which nestled nicely into the bottom corner to make it three.

The 17-year-old needed just three minutes to confirm his hat-trick. Substitute Muir put a low ball into the box and F. Samba was positioned perfectly to tap home.

Muir then got in on the act make it five.

The substitute rounded Stoke ‘keeper Clothier to give himself an empty net to aim for as City continued to enjoy their football in the East Midlands.

Warhurst topped off an emphatic performance with a sixth and final goal as City earned three valuable points and pick up important momentum before our UEFA Youth League trip to Helsinki next week.

HOW WE LINED UP

STOKE XI | Clothier, Dixon (Phillips 46’), Agina (McWilliams 76’), Otegbayo, Griffin, Gromek, Fearn, Smith (Maskall 76’), Matondo (Martin 46’) Enabulele, Chibueze

SUBS | Copper.  

CITY XI | Wint, Nfonkeu, Parker, Noble, Braithwaite (Thomas70’), Gray (T. Samba 74’), McAidoo (Dada-Mascoll 62’), F. Samba, Warhurst, Mukasa (Muir 46’), R. Heskey.

SUBS | Brits.  

AS A RESULT

City climb the league standings to eighth with 19 points.

It also moves us four points clear of 17th-place Arsenal.

UP NEXT

Our attention now turns to the UEFA Youth League.

Ben Wilkinson and our Under-19s travel to Finland on Wednesday 4 February for our Round of 32 clash with HJK Helsinki.

The game is set to begin at 15:00 (UK), with the match to be streamed live on CITY+.