HERE WE GO: During a period of pressure from the hosts, Fuad Smith powered forward w

Reigan Heskey, hit a brace and marked his 14th and 15th goals this campaign as City won 4-0 away at Nottingham Forest in the Under-18s Premier League North.
We couldn’t of wished for a better start, as Heskey converted a penalty three minutes into the match after the winger was fouled by Evan Boulter.

Tyrone Samba doubled the lead on his debut for the Under-18s towards the end of the first-half, tapping in a spilled ball from Keehan Willows after a Dante Headley cross.

Matty Warhurst guided the ball into the back of the net in the second half before Heskey capped off the scoring with a curling effort, as City picked up our 13th successive win to extend our lead at the league summit.

After progressing into the quarter-finals of the FA Youth Cup last Tuesday, Oliver Reiss’s side were in full confidence travelling to Nottingham Forest.
With second-placed Manchester United dropping points last weekend, there was an opportunity to solidify our position at the top of the table and City got off to a flying start.

Inside two minutes, Heskey won a penalty after being fouled by Boulter inside the box and the Under-18s top scorer converted the spot kick to hand City an early lead.
Christian Dunbar-McDonald nearly doubled our lead moments later as he tried to steer the ball past Willows after some neat footwork to give him space, but it went narrowly wide.

Finlay Gorman won the ball back in Forest’s defensive third and cushioned the ball to Warhurst, whose attempt from the edge of the box, travelled comfortably into Willow’s gloves.

During a period of pressure from the hosts, Fuad Smith powered forward with the ball before he brought Cormac Daly into play.

His cross was nearly guided in by centre-back Charlie Courtman, but it was, fortunately, directed straight into Max Hudson‘s hands.

But before the half-time whistle, City were able to double our lead.

Headley crossed the ball from the right and Willows spilled the ball. It landed to Samba who tapped in his first goal on his maiden start for the Under-18s.
It could of been three not long into the second half as Dunbar-McDonald played Headley through, who had made a darting inverted run, but the full-back chose power over accuracy as the ball fired high and wide.

City continued to put pressure on Forest in the second-half and half-time substitute Divine Mukasa, forced a save from Willows when his half-volley flew goal bound.

A third goal was in our future on 72 minutes, as Dunbar-McDonald crossed perfectly into Warhurst and the striker’s shot was too powerful for the Forest shot-stopper.

Mukasa provided quality from the bench, as he set up Kaden Braithwaite on the edge of the box and his strike was matched by an outstretched Willows, who kept the ball out to keep a more respectful scoreline for the hosts.

We were still probing the Forest goal, and were denied a fourth late on as a Heskey snapshot was blocked by Bubacarr Sanneh, before Mukasa’s header struck the crossbar.

But Heskey would finally get his second and rounded off the scoring by securing his brace and his 15th goal this campaign in added time.

The winger cut inside and curled an effort past Willows as Reiss’s men comfortably swept the East Midlands outfit aside.
Goalkeeper, Max Hudson, was selected to start and he was shielded by a back four of captain, Kaden Braithwaite, Kian Noble, Charlie Courtman and Dante Headley.

Harrison Miles anchored the midfield, with Finally Gorman and Tyrone Samba playing further up supporting the attack.
Matty Warhurst was positioned as a sole striker, supported by Christian Dunbar-McDonald and top goalscorer, Reigan Heskey.
FOREST XI | Willows, Sanneh (C), Bartley, Boulter, Broomes, Davies, Daly (87’ Hamilton), A Bradshaw, Powell, Smith (87’ Robinson), Brandy (90’ K Bradshaw
CITY XI | Hudson, Headley, Courtman (64’ Parker), Noble, Braithwaite (C), Miles (63’ Fapetu), Dunbar-McDonald, Gorman, Warhurst (73’ Fletcher), Samba (46’ Mukasa), Heskey

Victory for Oliver Reiss’s team means we remain in top spot in the Under-18s Premier League North on 40 points.

The result also represented our 13th successive win in the league, and during that run we have scored a league high 61 goals and conceded only 11.

WHAT’S NEXT
City’s Under-18s face a tough assignment next weekend as we play host to Tyne and Wear outfit, Sunderland who are positioned 4th in the league.

Kick-off is scheduled for 12:30 (UK) on Saturday 22 February and CITY+ subscribers will be able to watch the action live
News about N Forest v Man City
Title race adds extra level of excitement to Forest fixture, says Fletcher

City Under-18s striker Luca Fletcher says our fight in the Under-18 Premier League North title race makes fixtures such as our trip to Nottingham Forest even more exciting. Watch more

Extended highlights: Nottingham Forest U18s 0-4 City U18s

Watch the best of the action from City’s comfortable 4-0 victory against Nottingham Forest in the Under-18s Premier League North. Watch more

Watch our Under-18 Premier League North trip to Nottingham Forest live on CITY+ this afternoon

City’s Under-18s travel to Nottingham Forest today, with the league clash available to watch live on CITY+. Read more

News EDS & Academy Match Report Manchester City Under-18s Nottingham Forest Under-18s Under-18s Premier League North 2024/25 Manchester City Nottingham Forest Premier League U18 The Nigel Doughty Academy Reigan Heskey Tyrone Samba Matthew Warhurst
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