by Douglas Higginbottom » Sat Feb 13, 2016 2:55 pm
City U18s are just a win away from securing the Barclays U18 Premier League North Division title after beating Newcastle United on Saturday.
Goals from Isaac Buckley and Brahim Diaz sealed a 2-0 win at the Newcastle United Academy, leaving Jason Wilcox's side just three points away from the title.
The young Blues started on top and dominated possession in the early stages before taking the lead in the 12th minute.
Marcus Wood played in Buckley, who showed great control and footwork to jinx his way past two covering defenders and then slot the ball beyond the dive of Ben Smith for 1-0.
Will Patching nearly added a second shortly after as he saw his shot go narrowly wide before Smith produced a good save to palm away his free kick.
Newcastle looked for a way back into the game as the first half came to a close. Mackenzie Heaney tried his luck from a free kick on the edge of the area, but Kjetil Haug was aware to the danger and tipped it around the post.
City continued to dominate the possession and had one more chance before the half time whistle when Demeaco Duhaney's angled drive was pushed away from danger by Smith.
Jason Wilcox made his first substitution shortly after time as he introduced Brahim into the game, replacing goalscorer Buckley, but it was one of the starting eleven who had City's next chance.
Aaron Nemane played in Lukas Nmecha, who created room for himself before dragging his shot narrowly past the post.
The 17-year old was a constant threat to the Newcastle defence all game and came close again in the 78th minute as his goal-bound shot was blocked for a corner, which came to nothing.
The young Blues’ pressure paid off late on as Brahim secured the three points with the last kick of the game. The 16-year old showed great footwork to lose his marker before burying the ball in the bottom corner to seal the result.
City U18s are next in action on Wednesday 17 February when they travel to Manchester United, 1pm kick off at Carrington, knowing that three points will secure the Barclays U18 Premier League North Division title.
