Jason Wilcox’s U18 side have one foot in the FA Youth Cup final following a 3-0 win over Leicester at the Mini-Etihad.
Two goals from Aaron Nemane either side of a Denzeil Boadu strike gave the Blues a routine win, as they utterly controlled and dominated proceedings.
After blitzing Crewe 6-1 in the previous round, Wilcox fielded the same side for this fixture – the early stages of this game promising more of the same.
Although there is an abundance of talent in the team, undoubtedly the partnership Brandon Barker and Angelino have struck up down the left provides the main route to the goal – the duo combining to great effect against the Foxes.
First left-back Angelino threaded through a delightful pass inside the full-back for his compatriot Barker, who used his lightning pace to latch on and force an early save from Leicester keeper Smith-Varnam.
The productive partnership continued to excel, with the two constantly teasing and terrorising Leicester’s right side. The same combination brought about the next big chance, when Ambrose miscued his effort after Barker and Angelino worked a bright opening.
And the next piece of link-up down the left flank led to the opener. Barker’s progress looked to be haulted when two Leicester players doubled on the winger, yet the 17-year old rapidly burst in between both before his cut-back eventually fell perfectly for Nemane to prod home the first goal in 29th minute.
The lead was doubled moments later. Denzeil Boadu drifted in-field and his deflected effort crept over the line for 2-0.
Leicester were penned in their own half, with the pressure from Wilcox’s troops almost interminable. Celina tried his luck from range – the Kosavan seeing his ambitious yet awesome effort tipped over the bar.
Performance levels dipped slightly in the second half, but City maintained their professionalism and managed the game adeptly – never in any danger. Skipper Tosin Adarabioyo got on the end of an in-swinging free-kick and cleverly directed the ball towards, forcing a decent save out of Smith-Varnam.
Celina had been pulling the strings throughout, conducting play and orchestrating attacks. He played in Maffeo beautifully with an inch-perfect pass – the Spaniard should have done better with his effort.
Though City were comfortable, with a second leg still to play, 2-0 still left Leicester with hope and so when Nemane netted his second and that all-important third goal in the dying embers, the elated celebrations which followed were no surprise.
Another impressive display from Wilcox’s men in what is proving to be a fruitful FA Youth Cup campaign. Barring any major blips in the return leg, the team should safely secure passage into the final – which would be an outstanding achievement.
Teams:
City: Haug, Maffeo, Humphreys-Grant, Adarabioyo, Angelino, Bryan, Nemane, Celina, Ambrose, Boadu, Barker.
Leicester: Smith-Varnam, Johnson, Chilwell, Choudhury, Moore, Kipre, Ndukwu, Miles, King, Barnes, Fox.
