Mukasa free-kick fires City's Under-18s to victory against Middlesbrough

Divine Mukasa’s free-kick helped Manchester City to a 2-1 victory over Middlesbrough at the CFA in our latest Under-18s Premier League North clash.

City took an early lead as Luca Fletcher found space in the six-yard box to tap the ball into the net after a Christian Dunbar-McDonald cross in the 12th minute.

The visitors’ Charlie Lennon caught City off guard, as an individual driving run earned him the chance to pass the ball past Jack Wint for a first half equaliser.

On the hour mark from 24-yards out, Mukasa curled in a pinpoint free-kick past Shea Connor to earn Ben Wilkinson‘s youngsters a deserved three points against our north east opponents.

WHAT HAPPENED

Middlesbrough defended resolutely early on, with Mukasa and Justin Oboavowduo both testing visiting keeper, Shea Connor, in the opening exchanges.

After some patient, neat build-up play, the City youngsters then made an early breakthrough.

Christian Dunbar-McDonald raced to the byline, stretching to keep the ball in play, the winger played the ball across the box and Fletcher was unmarked in the six-yard box to poke the ball high into the roof of the net.

City appeared hungry for more and searched for a second goal, as Fletcher and Dunbar-McDonald both had attempts saved comfortably as visiting ‘keeper Connor kept Boro in the contest.

However, on 27 minutes, the Teesside outfit’s best move of the game led to their equaliser.

The ball worked it’s way up the pitch to Charlie Lennon, who received possession just outside the centre circle.

He darted on a sensational solo run on the left all the way to the City box, before passing the ball past Jack Wint, who dived the opposite way.

Fletcher’s left footed shot from the left side of the six yard box was saved in the bottom left corner, as City responded well.

The game had lost attacking momentum as we headed towards half-time, but Boro’s Prince Acheampong had space outside the box and his ferocious, left footed shot was well saved by Wint.

Lakyle Samuel had a header saved after a well-worked corner routine gave the defender before City restored our advantage.

The player that equalised for the visitors, Charlie Lennon, gave away a free-kick in a threatening position.

Mukasa stepped up, and his left footed shot bent around Connor and into the back of the net from 24-yards out to restore our lead.

Substitute, Farid Alfa-Ruprecht, had two chances to extend City’s lead further, but the Boro keeper, who had excellent game, denied the winger both times.

But City took the points to complete a solid afternoon’s work.

HOW WE LINED UP

Jack Wint started between sticks, with a back four of Matthew Henderson-Hall, Jahmai Simpson-Pusey, Stephen Mfuni and Seb Naylor protecting him.

Isaiah Dada-Mascoll sat in front of the defence in a deep-lying role, with captain, Jaden Heskey, and Divine Mukasa pushing further up in midfield.

Luca Fletcher played alongside Christian Dunbar-McDonald and Justin Oboavwoduo in an attacking trio.

Manchester City Under-18s

XI | Wint, Henderson-Hall, Simpson-Pusey, Mfuni, Naylor, Dada-Mascoll, Dunbar-McDonald, Heskey (C), Fletcher, Mukasa, Oboavwoduo

Subs | Okeke, Samuel, Warhurst, Alfa-Ruprecht, Thomas

Middlesbrough Under-18s

XI | Connor, Myers-Smith (C), Wilson, Scott, McPartland, Acheampong, Greenup, Cartwright, Lennon, Hamelberg, Muwana

Subs | Elliot, Grant Jr., Dore, James, O’Gorman

WHAT IT MEANS

The three points takes us to 46 points in the Under-18s Premier League North, 13 points behind table topping champions Manchester United who have played two matches more.