His first half penalty settled an evenly contested game at North Ferriby United.
Boss Glyn Hodges fielded a side largely made up of the graduates from the Platt Lane Academy who constituted the last two youth teams and they gave as good as they received throughout in a tightly fought opener to the 18-match league campaign
Playing with energy and verve Ball and Alex Nimely were at the centre of most of City’s best attacking work and both tested the keeper before Cunningham earned the Blues a spot kick just after the half hour mark that was despatched by Ball.
Like their senior counterparts the second string stood resolute and firm when the Tigers threatened to snatch a point.
Next up is a home game with Everton on Tuesday, September 1, which will be played in the City of Manchester Stadium.
City: Nielsen, Vidal, Greg Cunningham, Mee, McDonald, Kay (Clayton 60), Mak, Marshall, Ball, Nimely(Ibrahim 80), Poole. Not used: T Johansen, Boyata, and Tutte
