City’s Under-18s earned their third successive league win on Saturday with a 3-2 victory against Peterborough United at the Alan Higgs Centre.
Posh took the lead in the first half, but they would find themselves a man down just before half-time.
City capitalised on Peterborough's deficit with Kai Andrews and Isaac Moore finding the back of the net to put City.
The ten men of Peterborough came back once again and equalised late on to what they thought was a point secured on the road.
However, an injury time strike from Charlie Manners ensured the three points would go home with the Sky Blues and Assistant PDP Coach Chay Thompson was delighted come the final whistle.
“It was a good learning game for the boys. We played against ten men against Cardiff earlier in the season, and we had to be patient and kept the ball so we dealt alright with it.” Thompson said.
“Peterborough are a really good side, they move the ball really well and we had to spend large parts without the ball which was disappointing.
“We didn’t get close to them, and we spoke about that at half time at 1-0 down and deservedly so.
“I think playing on the big pitch at the stadium and the occasion on Tuesday night you could see it in their legs they were struggling, especially being such a young side.
“We had seven Under-16s start against Peterborough and it was just a little bit too much for them, as we thought it might be.
“Second half, we changed the shape of the system and fair play to the players, we were a lot more calmer and patient in possession and even though we were 1-0 down we didn’t become desperate.
“We were a lot better with the ball and waited for the right moments to try and hurt them, played with a lot more energy and we deserved to win in the end."
The win put the young Sky Blues top of the Professional Development League Northern Section and after drawing six games in a row earlier in the season, Thompson is pleased to see the players’ efforts being rewarded.
“It’s good for the players to look at the table and be top of the league.
“We’ve only lost once in the league, but we were drawing a lot of games, but we said keep believing in what you’re trying to do, and you’ll start to turn those draws into wins.
“We keep doing what we are doing, sticking to the philosophy and the plan, we’ve had a little bit of luck in the games, but we’ve been a little bit more ruthless in the box and taken chances when we have needed to, and we’ve done that in the last three league games and played some good football.
“The boys have been excellent this half of the season, as that’s our last game, and sitting top of the league is a credit to all the players.
The 18s now enjoy a Christmas break with their next match not until the 8th January and Thompson believes it is essential for the players to have a good break so they can come back ready for whatever challenges they’ll have to face come 2022.
“It’s been a tough half of the season, you could see against Peterborough the players weren’t quite themselves, so its really important they go back to their families as they come from all over the country really, switch off, reenergise, they’ll have a programme to do so they won’t just be sitting about with nothing to do but it’s important they take time off and enjoy the time off and be ready to come back.
“The players have spoke about having a lot to look forward to, with the Quarter Finals of the PDL League Cup and sitting top of the league so they are buzzing with that, but our job as coaches is to improve them each individually as footballers and keep trying to get them to the next level and ultimately that is our goal.”