Next Gen make strong PGA Division One start with United win | OneFootball

Manchester City Next Gen started our PGA U21 Division One campaign with a 3-1 win over Manchester United.

The Club’s Under-21s qualified for the nationalised first youth division after finishing fourth in the northern section and were handed a meeting with our cross-city neighbours in matchday one.

City created the clearer chances during even opening exchanges at the City Football Academy as Amelia Oldroyd controlled an in-swinging free-kick from the right with her chest before her stinging volley was caught.

Our pressure did eventual tell in the 13th minute when Rachael Adedini slid the ball down the right to Freya Hirons whose cut-back was cleared only as far as Lily Murphy just inside the area who slammed into the back of the net.

Adedini then doubled Next Gen’s lead midway through the first half when she collected the ball in the final third and drilled low into the bottom left corner.

Following the interval City came close again through Murhpy who collected Hirons’ smart header before driving into the box and firing just over.

A third Next Gen goal did arrive moments later, though, when Oldroyd’s industrious play inside United’s box paid dividends as her effort deflected into the net.

City’s Walker then made a great save in the closing stages, but the visitors did pull a goal back in second-half stoppage time which proved to be little more than a consolation.

Next up for Izzy Christiansen’s side is a trip to Durham U21 on Wednesday 17 December.