City claim five star opening day victory over Leeds | OneFootball

City's U18s kicked off our Premier League North campaign in style with a convincing 5-0 victory over Leeds.

A Floyd Samba brace saw us storm ahead at the break and the second-half continued in the same manner with Christian Dunbar-McDonald and Kylan Midwood adding two more.

City were then awarded a penalty with five minutes to play which was despatched by Dunbar-McDonald to seal a vital win for the Blues as we look to defend their U18 Premier League North title.

the game in 250 words

In a poignant opening, before kick-off both sides observed a minute's silence for former Liverpool forward, Diogo Jota and his brother André Silva after their tragic passing this summer.

When the game got underway, City were straight into the action and penned the Whites into their own half with our latest addition Teddy Lamb coming the closest to breaking the deadlock.

Christian Dunbar-McDonald danced past three players before laying the ball off to Lamb in front of goal, but defender Louie Philpott stuck a leg in to deny the young Blue.

City had been hunting for the first goal of the game since the outset and we didn't have to wait long until it came.

Kylan Midwood broke down the right wing and played the ball across the face of goal to the onrushing Floyd Samba who struck it perfectly into the net on 31 minutes.

City were flying as Samba soon doubled City's lead to record a brace with five minutes of the first-half to play.

That would be the last decisive moment of action as we went into the break 2-0 up - although in truth it could have been more.

The tempo continued in the same manner as we got under way in the second half.

Just minutes in, Leeds were unable to clear their lines following a cross from Oliver Tevenan and the ball fell to Dunbar-McDonald as he netted City's third goal of the game.

And the goals just kept coming as Kylan Midwood, who has been superb down the right for City, opened his account for the 2025/26 campaign on 68 minutes.

City were awarded a penalty with just five minutes of regular time to play, Dunbar-McDonald stepped up to take it and calmly recorded his own brace and secured City's stellar victory at the CFA.

Match Highlights

To follow soon.

As a result...

City take all three points and start the 2025/26 campaign in fine style.

Reiss Verdict

To come shortly.

Up next

We travel to Sunderland in our first away clash of the 2025/26 season as our Under-18 Premier League North action continues.

Oliver Reiss’ side face the Black Cats in a 11:00 (UK) kick-off on Friday 22 August. Live updates will be available on X: @ManCityAcademy and CITY+ subscribers can watch the action unfold in a game that promises to make exciting viewing.