An Oscar Bobb double and goals from Tai Sodje, Micah Hamilton and Dire Mebude secured yet another superb performance from Carlos Vicens’ side at the City Football Academy.
The free-scoring City youngsters have now scored 17 goals in the last four games.
WHAT HAPPENED
Bobb got City off to the perfect start after he opened the scoring inside 10 minutes.
A Carlos Borges cross from the left was met by Bobb, and the winger took two touches before smashing home past Xander Parke for the opener.
We had our second just minutes later, and it was that man Bobb again as he doubled his, and City’s account.
The Norweigan cut in from the right, danced past two men and finished his solo run by slotting into the bottom corner to cap off a scintilating first 15 minutes from the number seven.
After firing in front of goal, Bobb then proved provider for City’s next chance as the winger place a ball in behind for Tai Sodje, who fired his effort on the angle just wide of the far post.
As they have done all season, Vicens side continued to play free-flowing football throughout the first half, and this exquiste team play nearly led to a third.
A superb team move that started in the City penalty area allowed Juan Larios to break down the left, and his cross was met by Kian Breckin who had his side-footed volley well saved by Parke in the Potters’ goal.
City’s continued pressure for a third finally paid off as Sodje found the net just before the break.
A superb Jadel Katongo cross from the right was met by the head of Sodje, and his effort cannoned off the bar and in for his 17th league goal of the season.
The City youngsters then capped off a superb first half just before the break as Borges pulled the ball back for Hamilton who slotted into the bottom corner for his fifth goal in three games.
Into the second half and Hamilton came close to adding his second of the game, after the number 10 curled a free-kick from 20-yards over the Stoke wall, forcing Parke into a good save.
After a patient second half from Vicens’ side Mebude finally netted our fifth as the winger fired into the bottom corner from 15-yards with 10 minutes to go, to cap off a clinical afternoon from the City youngsters.
HOW WE LINED UP
Mikki Van Sas‘ net was guarded by a defence of Kwaku Oduroh, Shea Charles, Jadel Katongo and Juan Larios.
Harvey Griffiths, Kian Breckin and Micah Hamilton formed our midfield three, with Carlos Borges and Oscar Bobb occupying the left and right wing.
Tai Sodje led the line up-front.
WHAT IT MEANS
The victory moves Vicens’ team to the top of the Under-18 Premier League North table on goal difference ahead of second-placed Manchester United.
UP NEXT
Our Under-18s turn their attentions to the FA Youth Cup as we look to defend our crown against Birmingham City at the Academy Stadium on Friday, 12 March at 19:00 (UK).
