Man City U18 4, Nottingham Forest U18 1 (FA Youth Cup)
Manchester City’s Academy side cruised into the fifth round of the FA Youth Cup with a comfortable 4-1 win over Nottingham Forest.
Goals by Taylor Harwood-Bellis, Taylor Richards, and a double strike by Nabil Touazi at a wintry City Football Academy ensured the youngsters’ progress.
City had this game wrapped up shortly after half time when Nabil Touazi scored his second goal of the night to make it 4-0 after the Blues took full advantage of visiting left back Malique Spooner’s roaming tendency to rack up the winning scoreline.
Touazi had earlier scored City’s third goal after 25 minutes giving the visitors a mountain to climb during arctic conditions at City’s Football Academy Stadium.
Taylor Harwood-Bellis set the Blues on their way after just 6 minutes with a volleyed goal from Tommy Doyle’s corner from three yards out.
Midfielder Taylor Richards doubled that lead after 17 minutes when his shot was deflected in.
City’s substitutions on the night, with Jeremie Frimpong, Richards, and Touazi coming off, may give clues as to City’s plans for the forthcoming Checkatrade Trophy game at Sunderland on Tuesday prior to the Carabao Cup semi final at Burton on Wednesday.
City took the foot off the gas in the final quarter of the game to allow Forest a sniff of action but the game was long gone as the snow came down again. even though there was a delicious through ball from Felix Nmecha to Jayden Braaf which was sent wide by the Dutch winger.
Forest got a late consolation through Brennan Johnson who converted from the penalty spot after being brought down by Harwood in the 84th minute.
GOALS – Man City U18 4, Nottingham Forest U18 1 (FA Youth Cup)
Man City U18 1, Nottingham Forest U18 0: 6. Tommy Doyle’s corner to Taylor Harood-Bellis who bundled in from close range after Jayden Braaf had won a corner off Eric Garcia’s long pass forward.
Man City U18 2, Nottingham Forest U18 0: 17. Taylor Richards’ shot deflected past Michael Statham for City’s second of the night
Man City U18 3, Nottingham Forest U18 0: 25. Nabil Touazi struck from wide on the right again after going clear to put City into a massive lead.
Man City U18 4, Nottingham Forest U18 0: 55. Tap-in from 5 yards for Nabil Touazi after Ben Knight crossed from the right.
Man City U18 4, Nottingham Forest 1: 84. Brennan Johnson dusted himself off after being fouled by Taylor Harwood-Bellis to concede a penalty and slotted the ball past Louie Moulden who guessed incorrectly.
MATCH STATS – Man City U18 4, Nottingham Forest U18 1 (FA Youth Cup)
Man City U18: Moulden, Frimpong (Diounkou 70), Garcia (c), Harwood-Bellis, Ogbeta, Doyle, Knight, Richards (McDonald 60), Touaizi (Wright-Phillips 60), Felix Nmecha, Braaf
Man City U18 Subs not used: Trafford, Ogunby
Goals: Harwood-Bellis 6; Richards 17; Touazi 25, 55
Nottingham Forest U18: Statham, Spooner, Barnes, Harbottle (c), Richardson (Greenwood 87), Dekel-Daks (Boland 71), Back, Johnson, Appiah, Gibson-Hammond (Hammond 87), Swan.
Nottingham Forest U18 Subs not used: Liburd-Hines, Mutoti
Goal: Johnson 84 pen