The 19-year old struck in the 18th minute to seal the victory and move Simon Davies’ side up to third in the Barclays U21 Premier League Division One.
Davies made four changes to the side that lost against Leicester with Kean Bryan, Ellis Plummer, Aaron Nemane and Rodney Kongolo and coming in for Cameron Humphreys, Tosin Adarabioyo, Brandon Barker and David Faupala.
The away side created two chances in the opening five minutes but City stood strong to deny them. First, Angus Gunn palmed away Joe Rothwell’s free kick before Angelino showed great awareness to clear James Weir’s effort off the line.
City started to get a foothold on the game as the first half progressed and came close to an opener when Kongolo forced Joel Pereira into his first save of the match in the 12nd minute.
However, it wasn’t long until the EDS took the lead when Smith-Brown scored the opening goal of the game six minutes later. The 19-year set his sights from the edge of the area and drove an effort into the bottom corner to make it 1-0.
Following the goal, Davies’ side continued to dominate and nearly added a second midway through the first half. Angelino floated a cross into the middle and Buckley rose above his marker to latch onto it, only to see his header fly narrowly over the crossbar.
Chances were limited following Buckley’s chance and the young Blues were able to see the rest of the first half to head into half time in the lead.
Young striker Lukas Nmecha, who scored in midweek against United U18s, was introduced to the game at the start of the second half as he replaced Aaron Nemane.
The lively Buckley continued his impressive performance after the restart and came close to adding City’s second of the afternoon in the 48th minute. The 17-year old showed great composure on the edge of the area to jinx past his man before stinging the palms of Pereira with a driven shot.
EDS shot stopper Gunn was rarely tested in the game but had to be alert to the danger midway through the second half to deny Marcus Rashford an equaliser before seeing the follow up missed by Will Keane.
United pushed for a leveller as the game came to a close but Joe Rothwell fired wide from the edge of the area before City had a chance of their own.
17-year old Nmecha broke clear of the defence but slipped at the vital moment and his shot drifted wide of Pereira’s goal.
The young Blues remained strong at the back following that chance and saw out the remaining minutes of the game to seal the three points and move up to third in the Barclays U21 Premier League Division One.
