Reserves / Youth Team Thread

[Alan D]

Man City beat Man Utd 1 - 0 in the FA Youth Cup Sixth Round to go through to the Semis.

City reach semis

The eagerly-awaited Manchester "derby" in The FA Youth Cup's Sixth Round finished 1-0 in City's favour in front of a bumper crowd of well over 6,000 at the City of Manchester Stadium.

Kelvin Etuhu's strike just five minutes from time dumped out United, the 2003 winners, and took City through to a two-legged semi-final with either Brighton & Hove Albion or Newcastle United.

Michael Johnson skippered the home side in the absence of FA Cup hero Micah Richards, out with a slight injury.

The game struggled to develop in its early stages, with City and United both cagey and unwilling to give an inch.

The only real chance of the first half arrived four minutes from the break when United's Fraizer Campbell, an England U19 cap this season, fired a half-volley wide of Matthewson's goal.

City came out for the second half with a clear sense of purpose and the game became much more of a spectacle with chances at both ends.

United centre-back Shawcross missed with a header, Campbell drew a good save from Matthewson and Etuhu almost put City ahead on 79 minutes.

A goal looked very much on the cards as both teams strived for a breakthrough that would make extra-time unnecessary and it finally came following a City corner.

The ball dropped to Ched Evans, a 66th-minute substitute for the limping Sturridge, and he turned inside the box before setting up Etuhu for a crisp shot past Zieler to cheer the majority of the crowd shivering in the Colin Bell Stand.

United immediately hit back, desperate for an equaliser, but another near miss from a Shawcross header was the nearest they came.

http://www.thefa.com/TheFACup/TheFAYouthCup/NewsAndFeatures/Postings/2006/02/Fayc_man_city_triumph.htm

-----------------------------------------------------

Meanwhile the Reserve side are currently lying in 4th place in the Barclays Premiership Reserve League North. More info: http://www.premierleague.com/fapl.rac?command=forwardOnly&nextPage=enCompReservesNorth

[Frankfurt Blue]

Did you read what manchester(United)online.co.uk had to say about this?
talk about bias!! :mad:
They're just jealous right now.

[Alan D]

Did you read what manchester(United)online.co.uk had to say about this?
talk about bias!! :mad:
They're just jealous right now.

What did they say?

[Frankfurt Blue]

What did they say?

This is what they said prior to the game:

HISTORY beckons for Manchester United as they look snatch local pride and an FA Youth Cup semi-final berth from Manchester City at Eastlands.

Paul McGuinness' men are aiming to continue a proud tradition in the prestigious Under-18 tournament by notching a record 10th triumph this season.

United legends Duncan Edwards, Sir Bobby Charlton and George Best all tasted success in the competition, which also spawned the legendary 'Class of 92' including David Beckham, Paul Scholes and Ryan Giggs, while current first-team star Kieran Richardson skippered the Red Devils to glory three years ago.

Now, a current crop containing highly-rated duo Frazier Campbell and Darron Gibson look to secure a last-four pairing with either Newcastle or Brighton.

"Other clubs have academies but there is not a lot of history or belief that they will produce players good enough for the first team," said McGuinness, son of former United boss and Youth Cup winner Wilf.

"It may be easier to break through at some clubs because the standard is not as high but here we have a tradition of giving players a chance if they prove they are good enough."

Who do you think is United's most promising youngster? Have your say.

[Alan D]

Just a bit biased :rolleyes:

Man City U18s are playing against tonight against Newcastle U18s in the FA Youth Cup Semi-finals and City are winning 3-2 with not too long left to go!

And in the Reserves, City recently beat Wigan 4-2 with Ashley Grimes and Ishmael Miller getting two goals apiece

[Alan D]

City Make The Final

Manchester City had been favourites to win the right to face Liverpool in this season's FA Youth Cup Final after winning the first leg of their semi-final with Newcastle United 3-2 at St James' Park.

Yes, they did make it through to the Final but the young Magpies fought them all the way during last night's second leg at the City of Manchester Stadium.
There was a slow start by both sides on a chilly night in Manchester. Karl Moore for the hosts and Kazenga Lua Lua for the visitors missed narrowly with cross-shots before Daniel Sturridge scored on 15 minutes to cheer a decent crowd in the Colin Bell Stand.

The lethal Sturridge, who has featured in all of the last six England U17 internationals, got his head to a Paul Marshall free-kick whipped in from the right and City looked comfortable with a 4-2 aggregate lead.
Newcastle tried hard to get into the tie and were rewarded with an equaliser on the night on 34 minutes.

A long throw-in bounced inside City's penalty area, inviting full-back Nicky Deverdics to strike a half-volley past Matthewson.

City still had their noses in front on aggregate and at that point looked more likely to register another goal than the Tyneside opposition.

In the second half Doninger replaced Lua Lua and added pace to Newcastle's attack. For City Ched Evans came on for Sturridge and headed just over the bar from Michael Johnson's free-kick in the 80th minute.

Then City survived a frantic finish to qualify for a two-leg Final with Liverpool next month.

Both Manchester City (1986) and Liverpool (1996) are former FA Youth Cup winners.

1ST LEG – THURSDAY 13 APRIL 2006 – 7.30PM – Live on Sky

Liverpool v Manchester City


2ND LEG – FRIDAY 21 APRIL 2006 – 7.45PM – Live on Sky

Manchester City vs Liverpool

http://www.thefa.com/TheFACup/TheFAYouthCup/NewsAndFeatures/Postings/2006/03/City_united_videos.htm

[Alan D]

Manchester City Rs 3 - 2 Everton Rs

The drab conditions here seem to have affected the usual good numbers down for the home reserve games as tonight's battle of the Blues kicked off.

And after a quiet start to proceedings, the game came to life in the 12th minute. The returning Antoine Sibierski curled in a lovely free-kick from 22-yards out to put the home team in the lead.

Unfortunately, just a minute later, always the most vulnerable time, Anichebe went on a powerful run which forced Matt Mills into making a tackle the referee adjudged to be a foul and the result was a penalty for Everton.

Paul Hopkins drilled the ball straight down the middle and beyond Weaver to pull the Merseyside Blues level.

Anichebe was a threat for the visitors, possibly Everton's version of Ishmael Miller, with his pace and physical presence a worry to the City backline.

In the 29th minute, City thought they'd gone back in front. Laird rolled a ball wide for Lee Croft and the winger ran unchallenged before hitting a drive which slipped off the underside of the bar and bounced to safety.

Ten minutes later, City were celebrating for real as Sibierski doubled his tally for the night. It was a fantastic team goal which was started in City's own area. Mills exchanged passes with Laird before finding Wright-Phillips, he fed Croft down the right and his inch perfect cross was nodded home by the French forward.

Wigley's men headed for the break just in front after a decent half of football here at the Athletics Arena.

Just the one change at the break - Everton replacing Alessandro Pistone with John Irving.

Five minutes into the second half and Everton were level again. John Paul Kissock played a neat one-two with Anichebe before tucking a low shot just past Weaver's outstretched right hand.

A nervy few moments followed for City as the visitors pushed for the lead. Both teams thought they could win it now and the game had opened up.

It was pretty much end-to-end and just a matter of when the next goal was going to be scored. Luckily City got it after 67 minutes. Bradley Wright-Phillips acrobatically fired home with an over-head volley from just a few yards after Bermingham's drive was well kept out.

With City's experience now rising to the top they pushed for number four. And to that end Academy goal machine Kelvin Etuhu came on for Karl Bermingham after 76 minutes.

A second change came with just seven minutes remaining. Ashley Grimes replaced Wright-Phillips to a warm ovation.

Antoine Sibierski came through the full 90 minutes unscathed, which will have pleased the watching Stuart Pearce.

So the reserves good run continues after this hard working performance.

FULL TIME: City 3-2 Everton

http://www.mcfc.co.uk/default.sps?pageid=115&pagegid=%7BDBD12D53%2D8346%2D431D%2DA04F%2D5D0F8664DE80%7D&newsid=317386&siteid=&pageno=&newscategory=1051&frommonth=1&fromyear=2006&tomonth=3&toyear=2006

[The Potter]

I came across this and thought you lot would want to know. http://www.thefa.com/England/U17s/NewsAndFeatures/Postings/2006/03/England_Italy17s.htm

Check the video console, your boy looks Sturridge does look really handy.

[Alan D]

Yeah, he seems to have a lot of potential - I hope he gets into the first-team soon and I hope he stays (at least for a few years until he develops his skills).

Chelsea are apparently interested in him but the only way he is leaving is for £££, and I mean millions and millions. He hasn't proved himself at the top level yet but if Chelsea want to sign him they are going to have to pay up loads - I want him to stay at Man City definately though, but I just hope he doesn't get brainwashed by money - Chelsea in otherwords - in the same way as SWP did. If he stays at Man City he can become a first-team regular I reckon and he needs to stay at the club to improve his talents. If he is a big success then chances are he will want to join one of the 'big four' teams but I don't see the point in him leaving now.

Chelsea are meant to be offering him £1 million a year, which in fairness is a lot of money, but I'm getting pissed off how they are just buying players upon players that are doing well at the minute - its just basically minimising the threat from all the other teams! Chelsea will claim all of the credit for 'nurturing' his talent.

[Alan D]

FA Youth Cup final 1st leg @ Anfield this Thurs. I hope we win - would at least mean we can celebrate one bit regarding City this season :rolleyes: Its live on Sky Sports 3 on Thursday at 7:30pm.

[Alan D]

We lost the FA Youth Cup final 3-2 on aggregate. At least we won at Eastlands and a few of our youth players look promising.

[Alan D]

Man City beat Wolves 2-1 in the Reserves with Bradley Wright-Phillips and Michael Johnson both scoring.

[Alan D]

Man City Reserves won their last reserve game this season by 2 goals to nil against Liverpool. The win means they finish in 3rd position.