City’s Under-19s impress in clinical Young Boys win

EDS & Academy

Young Boys 0-4 City U19s: Highlights

Kane Taylor was City’s shining star in the opening 45 minutes as his first half brace set the pace for Brian Barry-Murphy’s side.

Jaden Heskey followed suit in the second half as the midfielder scored two goals to extend City’s lead in Switzerland.

The positive attacking performance was replicated at the opposite end of the pitch as City’s defensive line were able to maintain a clean sheet to extend our lead at the top of the group.

WHAT HAPPENED

The Stockhorn Arena was the perfect setting for the two sides, with City looking to extend our positive run of form in Europe while the hosts were in search of their first points of the campaign.

The magnificent mountains stood tall around the stadium as the players took to the artificial turf in a mild, chilly breeze.

City were inspired by the stunning surroundings, earning three corners in the opening five minutes as we looked to strike early.

The hosts showed defensive resilience, though, and were able to deny City’s attacking line in those opening stages.

Young Boys also showed the threat they pose when pressing high after goalkeeper True Grant’s misplaced pass out from the box was collected by the Swiss side. They were unable, however, to test Grant as the shot went wide.

City’s patience with possession was important, with Barry-Murphy’s team waiting for Young Boys to leave some space open. It paid dividends as Joel Ndala made a threatening run towards goal, charging to the byline before cutting the ball back to the edge of the box.

It found Kane Taylor ready to thump the ball into the back of the net on 19 minutes.

Young Boys’ best chance of the first half came shortly after the restart. They almost found an equaliser from a free kick which had been fired towards goal from the left-hand side of the box.

But skipper Max Alleyne was positioned perfectly on the goalline as he blocked the ball with his chest before a frantic clearance denied Young Boys the opportunity to level.

The boys in blue struck again on 33 minutes and it was all thanks to the hard work of Taylor.

The youngster from Birmingham regained possession in the Young Boys’ half before driving towards the opposing goal.

He again showcased his goalscoring ability, curling the ball towards the top right corner with his left foot to double City’s lead.

Early into the second 45 minutes and Ben Knight orchestrated City’s play from the centre of the pitch with Barry-Murphy’s side refusing to give Young Boys time on the ball.

But they did look to score on the counter as Deme Malik tested Grant for the first time in the second half around the hour mark.

His run from the halfway line was left unchallenged and his shot curled towards the left corner before Grant caught the ball comfortably.

A short spell of danger tested City’s defensive line but good communication and teamwork by Alleyne and Lakyle Samuel put a stop to any suggestion Young Boys could get a goal back.

City flaunted our attacking prowess from set pieces. A corner kick, on 64 minutes, was taken short before Tom Galvez’s cross was nodded back across goal by skipper Alleyne at the back post.

The ball floated in the air and Heskey headed the ball into the back of the net from the centre of the six-yard box.

Barry-Murphy’s side showed no signs of slowing down as Heskey scored his second of the match five minutes later after a fierce shot deflected off the back of his foot and over a diving Ardian Bajrami.

Substitute Daniel Mendes had the chance to net a consolation but his left-foot fired the ball high over the cross bar with 10 minutes left to play.

And it was Mendes again who nearly scored a first goal for Young Boys but he dragged his shot just wide of the left post a couple minutes later.

City, however, were able to hold out for a deserved clean sheet - and impressive three points - in the closing moments.

HOW WE LINED UP

Barry-Murphy made three changes to his starting XI compared to the squad that faced RB Leipzig earlier this month.

True Grant was in goal and protected by a back four of Lakyle Samuel, Jahmai Simpson-Pusey, captain Max Alleyne and Tom Galvez.

In the midfield three, an energetic line of Jacob Wright, Kane Taylor and Under-18 captain Jaden Heskey were all tasked with dictating play from the centre of the pitch.

Matthew Henderson-Hall and Joel Ndala were deployed out wide in the front line with Will Dickson our number nine for the game.

YOUNG BOYS: Bajrami Ardian ©, Murith (Thermoncy 55’), Ademi, Henchoz, Seiler, Buljan (Rufener 55’), Dalipi, Deme (Mendes 68’), Parra (Bomo 71’), Deme, Maluvunu (Luthi 55’)

Subs: Thermoncy, Wyss, Bomo, Rufener, Mendes, Luthi, Bracher  

CITY XI: Grant, Samuel, Simpson-Pusey, Alleyne ©, Galvez, Wright (Susoho 77’), Henderson-Hall (Oboavwoduo 77’), Heskey, Dickson (Adam 77’), Taylor (Noble 90’), Ndala (Lawrence 46’)

Subs: Carrington, Murray-Jones, Noble, Susoho, Adam, Oboavwoduo, Lawrence

WHAT IT MEANS

The Under-19s extend our lead at the top of the group with three games left to play. 

At the time of writing, we sit two points clear of RB Leipzig as we look to push for qualification for the knockout stages for a second consecutive season. 

WHAT’S NEXT

Barry-Murphy’s EDS return to Premier League 2 action this weekend as they travel to Derby County.

Their league clash will take place at Matlock Town FC on Saturday 28 October, with kick-off scheduled for 12:00 (UK).