Drake: We needed to show a reaction after losing against Liverpool | OneFootball

Leke Drake says it was important to bounce back after Liverpool defeat as Oliver Reiss' side fought hard to beat Stoke 3-2 in our Under 18 Premier League North clash.

Despite going 2-0 up inside 11 minutes, City had to dig deep to secure a win at Clayton Wood after a further two first-half goals swung in Stoke's favour.

It was the fourth game in a row that City have had to prove their resilience after conceding first against Liverpool, Chelsea and Manchester United.

Match Report | Stoke 2-3 City

Saturday afternoon's triumph means we continue to sit at the summit of the Under 18 Premier League North table and three crucial points ahead of our cross-city rivals who recorded a 1-0 loss against Sunderland.

And defender Leke Drake touched on the importance of not conceding goals and how this can help the young Blues' confidence in their quest to retain the title.

"I thought it was a tough game, we needed to show a reaction after losing against Liverpool and I think we did that.

"But I think in parts some of the goals [conceded] were sloppy and if we focus on our defending a bit more and keeping clean sheets that will help us win more games and carry on our good run.

"I think in training all week we've shown a good reaction after the loss and we've worked on what we needed to improve on, but I think it's good for momentum to keep winning, to keep getting three points.

"As it gets further down the season those three points will be really important like today."