Sam Collard is a Football Business & Media student at UCFB Wembley. Alongside his studies he also works with Slough Town and Edgware Town in media and marketing roles.
In a David vs Goliath clash, Manchester City spoilt any chance of an FA Youth Cup upset.
The long trip to the south west was well worth it for Manchester City U18s who struck four past Clevedon Town.
With eight divisions separating the two sides, it was clear to see the difference early on with Manchester City controlling the early proceedings.
It would not take long for the Premier League side to take their chances, following a corner in the eighth minute, the ball fell to Lewis Fiorini who expertly placed his cross to find Taylor Harwood-Bellis free at the back post to put the Citizens in front.
Albeit a huge divide between the two clubs, Clevedon Town were not without their chances as Fraser Linnitt played through Ethan Feltham on the right flank, with his effort fired straight into Louie Moulden’s gloves.
City doubled their lead in the 20th minute through Thomas Doyle’s wonderfully struck free-kick. Doyle’s strike from 25-yards flew straight into the top corner, leaving Sam Blackiston stranded.
And City came close again a minute later with Fiorini bursting through, but heroic defending by Sam Larkins saw him clear the ball off the line to keep the score at 2-0.
Clevedon largely relied on long balls and set-pieces, typical of an underdog. From a wide free-kick, the Seasiders had a penalty shout, but it was denied by the referee following a potential handball from Nathaniel Ogbeta.
The hosts began the second half looking increasingly brighter and applying significant pressure to the Manchester City backline, by winning a succession of free-kicks resulting in a Fiorini yellow card.
However, it would be Manchester City to come closer as D’Magio Wright-Phillips did excellently to break away from his marker and find space for a cross which found Fiorini, whose acrobatic effort was just off target.
City found their third in the 77th minute as Jayden Braff collected the ball on the left-hand side and drove into the Clevedon Town box, drilling a cross into the path of Ben Knight who put the game beyond any doubt.
Substitute Alex Kemsley spurned Clevedon Town’s best chance of the game, after being played through the left channel, as his powerful effort flew wide just of Moulden’s net.
The Citizens added a fourth in the 87th minute through substitute Henri Ogunby who found himself clean through on goal and expertly placed his shot past Blackiston to complete the rout.
Although the scoreline suggests otherwise, the trip to North Somerset was no easy feat for the Manchester City youth side, who were pushed to the end by a resilient Clevedon Town, who can hold their heads high.
