City U18s go top of the table with hard-fought win at Stoke | OneFootball

City’s U18s came from behind to earn our 16th successive league win in a gripping 2-1 victory over Stoke City.

Floyd Samba haule us level on the 45 minute mark after Ryan Liu opened the scoring for Stoke in the first ten.

After a tricky first-half, City found their feet and deserved to go ahead on many occasions - emerging as the better side in the second half.

Despite that, the hosts looked likely to end our incredible winning run until Matty Warhurst fired City ahead with two minutes of normal time left to play.

His terrific header in the box sealed another important win as we battle for the regional title.

What Happened

It was a typical March day in Stoke. The sky was blue and the sun was poking through the clouds with a biting chill to the air.

19 places separated the two sides before kick-off in what promised to be a thrilling game.

And it was. City pressed early with Divine Mukasa threatening with just three minutes played.

The 17-year-old composed himself as he fired a shot towards Michael Zeitzen, but his effort had slightly too much on it as it whistled over the bar.

After an exciting start, Stoke broke through the City defence to go ahead.

Ryan Liu’s effort got the better of Max Hudson as it rolled into the bottom corner of the Blues’ net.

Despite going behind so early in the game, City didn’t let it affect us.

With a rotated City squad, Stoke tried to unsettle Oliver Reiss' side, but we upped the tempo and it was end to end with half an hour on the clock.

We came the closest to the second goal of the game as a ball inside to Fletcher took a deflection from a Stoke defender and trickled along the goal line and out for a City corner.

As we edged towards half-time, we looked to continue the pressure, emerging as the better of the two and it wasn’t long until we found a deserved equaliser.

With seconds left to go, Dante Headley neatly played the ball inside to Floyd Samba, who fired it past the ‘keeper at close range.

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After linking up beautifully on the wing for 45 minutes, Fletcher and Mukasa  - along with substitute Ryan McAidoo - continued to create magic down the left flank early in the second period.

The minutes were ticking down as skipper Braithwaite rolled the ball to Fletcher as he played a hard and low cross through the box as we continued our push for a rightful second goal.

A great team effort to work the ball goalwards on 72 minutes ended with Matty Warhurst’s effort, which was too easy for the keeper who collected effortlessly.

We edged closer and closer towards a winner in the final stages as Warhurst forced the keeper into an impressive save – tipping our number 12’s effort over the bar.

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Stoke were unable to find a way through City’s brick-wall defence, with Kian Noble and Harrison Parker standing tall to ensure there was no hope for the Potters to go ahead.

City had so many chances to go ahead as we continued to edge closer.

A Stoke long throw in was defended well by City, who then launched a rocketing forward ball towards the box.

And it was substitute Matty Warhurst who fired us ahead on 88 minutes. His thumping header in the middle of the box confirmed all three points for Reiss’ side.

How we lined up

Max Hudson was named as City's goalkeeper for the game. In front of him, was a back four of Dante Headley, Harrison Parker, Kian Noble and captain Kaden Braithwaite hoping to keep Stoke at arms' length.

Reiss' midfield consisted of Femi Fapetu, Divine Mukasa and Floyd Samba.

Luca Fletcher was leading the line, accompanied by Christian Dunbar-McDonald and Reigan Heskey and either wing.

Stoke City XI: Zeitzen, Powell, Bardsley (Dauda 81’), Walker, Phillips, Moore, Fearn, Liu (Eyaife 87’), Bailey, Ogbebor (Enright 81’), Nzau

Unused subs: Chivers, Witter

City XI: Hudson, Headley, Parker, Noble, Braithwaite, Fapetu, Dunbar-McDonald (McAidoo 46’), F. Samba (Gorman 56’), Fletcher (Warhurst 69’), Mukasa, R. Heskey

Unused subs: Doran, Courtman

What it means

We move top of the U18 Premier League North table with four games remaining and two points clear of Manchester United.

up next

Following the international break, we are back on the road in the Under-18 Premier League North action.

Oliver Reiss’ side head to Blackburn in a 11:00 (UK) kick-off on Saturday 29 March. Live updates will be available on X: @ManCityAcademy and City+ subscribers can watch the action unfold, with a five-goal thriller in the return fixture it poses to make exciting viewing.