City's Under-18s were held to a goalless draw this past weekend and here's a report of how John Dempster's side got on...
The Sky Blues Under-18’s shared the points with opponents Crewe Alexandra at Alexandra Park in their second league outing.
The hosts came into this game off the back of two league victories, in which they had scored nine goals meaning it was going to be a tough test for the Sky Blues.
Despite not having the lion share of possession early on, City did look dangerous, especially through the middle. Aarons Evans-Harriott created good half-chances early on, including a superb solo run, skipping past three players before striking it jut wide of the mark.
A few minutes later, centre-half Malakai Reeve broke forward with the ball and found Craig Hewitt superbly, but the winger’s shot curled inches past the post.
After the break, the hosts went close when a cross from out wide found Kyle Stubbs, but he headed it back across goal and just wide of the far post.
Crewe had another chance soon after, this one on target as a low driven long-range effort which forced a brilliant save from Sky Blues ‘keeper Luke Bell.
The Sky Blues grew back into the game as the clock ticked and Nee outwitted the Alex backline on numerous occasions but couldn’t quite find the finishing touch.
With minutes left on the clock, it was almost a captain’s contribution that won it for City as Joe Nightingale hit one just over the bar from 20-yards out.
But it wasn’t meant to be for the Sky Blues and despite not grabbing a winner, the City put in an all-round strong performance and earned their draw against a good Crewe side.
Sky Blues Xl: Bell, Harland, McGrath, Pitt-Eckersall (Purves), Reeve, Finnegan, Nightingale (C), Howley, Nee, Evans-Harriott, Hewitt.
Unused Subs: Costa, Fallows, Massey.
Crewe Alexandra Xl: Booth, Marrow, Lawton, McDonald, O’Riordan, Williams, Stubbs (Higgins), Tabiner, Salisbury, Green (C), Levey.
Unused Subs: Billington, Le Grand Akpo, Marsden, Bebbington.