Manchester City beat Derby 3-0 in the Under-18 Premier League North to stretch our winning run to four matches and start the 2023/24 campaign in style.

Farid Alfa-Ruprecht broke the deadlock 12 minutes into the first half when he was all alone to head in from six yards out.

Matty Warhurst scored in four consecutive games when he put the ball past Jack Thompson in the Derby goal to double our lead.

City continued to press Derby in the second half, and we were able to carve out a third through Christian Dunbar-McDonald’s follow up.

WHAT HAPPENED

Ben Wilkinson’s side travelled to Derbyshire in fine form, starting the season with three consecutive victories and full of confidence.

Our young outfit were pushing for the breakthrough from the first minute, and we reaped our rewards for all our early pressure in the 12th minute.

Alfie Harrison had the ball on the wing, and sent in a pinpoint cross to Farid Alfa-Ruprecht, who headed City in front from six yards out.

And just after the half hour mark, Matty Warhust made it two, and scored his sixth goal of the league campaign.

Christian Dunbar-McDonald had the ball out of the left, and after some fine wing play, played it to the forward who put it past the keeper to double our advantage.

Dunbar-McDonald was having another excellent display for the Under-18s, and he capped off his performance with a goal.

Alfa-Ruprecht had an initial effort saved well by Jack Thompson in the Derby goal, but Dunbar-McDonald managed to get to the loose ball, to tap in the follow up.

City managed the game out brilliantly to walk away from Derby with another three points to continue our perfect start.

HOW WE LINED UP

Jack Wint started between the sticks, and he was protected by a back four of Ezra Carrington, Kian Noble, Stephen Mfuni, and Seb Naylor.

Charlie Gray sat in front of the defence, with Dan Batty and Alfie Harrison pushing further forward in a midfield trio.

In-form Matty Warhust retained his place and led the attacking line, with Farid Alfa-Ruprecht and Christian Dunbar-McDonald supporting him on the flanks.

Derby Under-18s

XI | Thompson, Perry, Gill, Hawkins, Osayande, Robinson (C), Simons, Eames, Wheeldon, Allen, McAndrew

Subs | Banks, Price, Oguntolu, Tola, Agustien

Manchester City Under-18s

XI | Wint, Carrington, Noble, Mfuni, Naylor, Gray, Alfa-Ruprecht, Batty, Warhurst, Harrison, Dunbar-McDonald

Subs | Thomas, Brits, Henderson-Hall, Fapetu, Fletcher

WHAT IT MEANS

A victory for Ben Wilkinson’s side sees us go second in the Under-18s Premier League North table, at the time of writing.

However, we have played one match fewer than league leaders Manchester United who are three points ahead of us.

WHAT’S NEXT

City are back in league action next weekend when we travel to Merseyside to face Everton at Finch Farm.

Kick-off is scheduled for Saturday 7 October at 11:30 (UK).

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