City U18s beat Boro to extend winning run | OneFootball

Christian Dunbar-McDonald’s brace helped City extend our winning run to three following a 2-0 triumph at Middlesbrough.

After an end-to-end first 40 minutes, Dunbar-McDonald converted a lightning-quick counterattack, with eye-catching link-up play with Dexter Oliver – on his first start for the Club.

Dunbar-McDonald then made it two shortly after the break, cutting onto his favoured right foot before unleashing a fierce shot into the top corner.

Middlesbrough pushed for the entirety of the match, but City fought hard for a second successive clean sheet as we stay top of the Under-18 Premier League North.

WHAT HAPPENED

City travelled to Rockliffe Park knowing a difficult task awaited, with Middlesbrough undefeated in six and yet to lose on home soil.

And it was easy to see why, with the hosts quick to put City under duress with a high press. Oliver Tevenan made a vital block to deny Middlesbrough an early lead, with a dangerous intensity to their game causing our young boys issues.

But Oliver Reiss’ side remained calm, and our patience would later reap reward.

Four minutes before the break, City showcased incredible speed and accuracy, with Oliver and Dunbar-McDonald working hard together to give us the lead.

The duo led the counterattack after City cleared Middlesbrough’s attempt, with impressive link-up play that saw the ball go from our box to Boro’s in a matter of seconds.

It looked like Oliver had been sent too far left, away from goal, but the midfielder opted for a clever backheel which set Dunbar-McDonald up perfectly to slot the ball into the bottom right corner from the middle of the box.

City charged out the gates in the second half with Dunbar-McDonald firing us into a two-goal lead with a fantastic shot into the top-right corner.

It proved a nervy affair for the final 15 minutes as Middlesbrough piled on the pressure, but City kept them out.

An added time save by Max Hudson, a fantastic one-handed dive to deny the hosts, saw their efforts fall short as we confirmed an equally important clean sheet to move seven points clear at the league summit.

TEAMS

MIDDLESBROUGH XI | Lloyd, McPartland (Roberts 74’), Smith, Givenson, Edmundson, Tremain, Harrison, Hones, Ibeh, Kakai, Woodhouse.

UNUSED SUBS | Moss, Haselhurst, Shaw, Richardson.

CITY XI | Hudson, Wain (Courtman 84’), Obin (Barrett 64’), Drake, Tevenan, Holt, Midwood (Whisker 84’), Oliver, Lamb, T. Samba, Dunbar-McDonald (Parker 64’).

UNUSED SUBS | Vickery.

AS A RESULT

City stay top of the Under-18 Premier League North table.

After nine games, we have 24 points.

UP NEXT

After the November international break, Reiss and his Under-18s will prepare for our final Under-18 Premier League Cup group game.

We welcome Sheffield United to the City Football Academy for an 11:00 (UK) kick-off on Saturday 22 November.

It’s a must-win match for City if we are to qualify for the knockout stage of the competition.

Fans with a CITY+ subscription will be able to watch all the action unfold live on mancity.com and the Official Man City App.