Whisker brace helps City U18s extend PL Cup winning run

It was a clinical first half from City who scored two goals from two shots on target, with Whisker firing the Blues ahead on 27 minutes with a composed shot at the back post.

And he quickly got his third goal in two cup games with a carbon copy finish after another incredible low-driven cross by Darren Motsi from the left.

Both were witnessed by First-Team Head Coach Enzo Maresca who took the time to watch Lauris Coggin’s side before his team take centre stage against Brighton this evening.

The victory on home soil sees City move top of Group D, with our final fixture against Burnley next month to decide who will advance to the knockouts of the competition.

WHAT HAPPENED

Cup action returned to the City Football Academy on a gloomy Wednesday afternoon, but the match was far from that as our young blues put on a composed performance against Southampton.

After looking the brighter side, our hard work was rewarded on 27 minutes when Whisker fired City in front from the back post.

It was a clinical finish from the winger, but the talking point was the low, pinpoint cross by Motsi that set Whisker up perfectly.

And just four minutes later Motsi would repeat the trick to assist Whisker once again for an identical goal to the first.

Both strikes were the perfect boost of confidence with Southampton pinned largely within their half as City maintained our two-goal advantage at the break.

As City pushed for more goals in the second half, full-back Alfie Turley saw his effort at the back post blocked on the line after Archie Thornton headed the corner back across the face of the Southampton goal with just over 20 left to play.

Two vital blocks by Southampton saw Motsi and Tireni Aiyegbusi denied just over five minutes later, both the by-product of having all the play within Southampton’s half.

Thornton was once again a towering presence at the back post and this time guided his headed effort towards goal, but the ball was headed off the line with the pressure continuing to build from the Blues.

Lauris Coggin’s side were unable to find more goals but that wouldn’t ruin the pleasing performance from a young Under-18s side who move one win away from advancing to the knockouts.

HOW WE LINED UP

CITY XI | Vickery, Carrington, Thornton (C), Lawrie, Turley (Smith 88’), Gueke, Whisker (Fullen 88’), Nduka (Stewart 14’), Aiyegbusi, Motsi, Woode (Aina 30’)

SUBS | Mathiesen, Indequi, Plummer

SOUTHAMPTON XI | Abbotson, Lawson (Wells 64’), Vallance, Sewell, Afzal (Robinson 46’), Lovatt, Lemon (Ifeanyochukwu 46’), Fletcher, Linton (Duffy 64’), Comley (Denny-Abdallah 46’), Parry.

SUBS | Clark, Nwosa, Bowden.

AS A RESULT

City move top of Group D on goal difference. It means our final group game, against Burnley who are also on six points, will see the winner advance to the knockouts.

UP NEXT

It’s a quick turnaround as our young blues now prepare for Under-18 Premier League North action.

City welcome Burnley to the CFA on Saturday 31 October, with kick-off set for 11:00 (UK).

The game will be available to watch live on mancity.com and the Official Man City App for fans with a CITY+ subscription.