Derby disappear as City fall short against United | OneFootball

Manchester City conceded a one goal lead as we were defeated 3-2 by Manchester United in the derby in the Under-18s Premier League North.

City took the lead in the first half through Nico O’Reilly’s strike.

The visitors responded with two quick fire goals through Ethan Williams and Manni Norkett to give United the advantage.

Jaden Nolan converted a penalty after George Murray-Jones fouled an attacker, before Matty Whittingham pulled on back late on.

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WHAT HAPPENED

This Manchester derby certainly lived up to expectations from the first whistle, as both teams were searching for the breakthrough.

Farid Alfa-Ruprecht went close from a Matty Whittingham cross before United’s Daniel Gore drove a shot into a wall of City bodies.

A free kick was conceded by Max Alleyne inches outside the penalty area, Sam Murray’s effort was kept out by George Murray-Jones initially but was tapped in on the rebound.

Fortune was in our hands as the linesman raised his flag for offside to the frustration of the visitor’s camp.

Our Young Outfit responded, as Tom Galvez ran to the by-line, but his cross to Jaden Heskey was met with a poked shot which went agonisingly wide of the post.

City were on the ascendancy with Galvez again having space on the left, his slide through pass to Whittingham was well saved by Elyh Harrison in the United goal.

This left space in behind which the Red Devils exploited, as Manni Norkett ran in behind with only Isaac Smith with him, but his attempt travelled wide of the post.

But, it was advantage City just after the half hour mark, as the ball was with Nico O’Reilly on the edge of the box and after skipping past two tackles, his finessed shot was too strong for Harrison, and fired into the net.

Justin Oboavwoduo and Ethan Williams both missed opportunities as the first half drew to a close.

The momentum of the game did not slow down in the second half as Oboavwoduo went close from an Alfa-Ruprecht close early on.

The visitors responded well in the second half; Williams turned Ezra Carrington, but his shot was blocked bravely by Isaac Smith.

After Williams disposed Isaiah Dada-Mascoll in the box, he drove past him before he wrong-footed Murray-Jones and slotted to level the match.

Only six minutes later, it was more frustration for us, as a cross was swung in for the visitors, and Norkett rose highest to send a looping header past Murray-Jones.

Ben Wilkinson’s side heeded his instructions as we pushed hard for the equaliser, as Oboavwoduo’s shot was defended narrowly off the line.

However, United were to get a third, as Murray-Jones fouled a United attacker, before Jaden Nolan stepped up to convert.

Matty Whittingham pulled one back late on with a late strike, but it was not enough as we were defeated at the City Football Academy.

UNDER-18S | 22/23 FIXTURE LIST

HOW WE LINED UP

George Murray-Jones was between the posts, and he was protected by a back four of Ezra Carrington, Isaac Smith, Max Alleyne and Tom Galvez.

Jacob Wright sat in front of the defence, with Matty Whittingham and Nico O’Reilly playing further ahead in a midfield three.

Jaden Heskey took the number nine shirt, with the support of Justin Oboavwoduo and Farid Alfa-Ruprecht on the wings.

Manchester City Under-18s

XI: Murray-Jones, Carrington, Smith, Alleyne, Galvez, Whittingham, Wight, O’Reilly (C), Oboavwoduo, Heskey, Alfa-Ruprecht

SUBS: Grant, Dada-Mascoll, Harrison, Okeke, Muir

Manchester United Under-18s

XI: Harrison, Murray, Kingdon, Aljofree, Jackson, Oyedele, Nolan, Fredricson, Williams, Gore, Norkett

SUBS: Hanbury, Baumann, Berry, Fitzgerald, Musa

UP NEXT

City are in action again next weekend as we take the short trip to Staffordshire to face Stoke City.

Kick off is at 11:30 (UK) on Saturday 19 November.