City’s U18 side have progressed into the semi-final of the Youth Alliance Cup with a penalty shootout victory over Rochdale on Tuesday afternoon.
The Imps took the lead early on with Russell Berko netting from a breakaway, with the Dale levelling just before half-time. Denny Oliver then scored from the edge of the area to put City back ahead, before the hosts’ late pressure told as they found another equaliser via a Theo Mussell own goal.
Head coach Ash Foyle said his side evidenced strong character to progress through the shootout after his side were pegged back twice with the sides tied at 2-2 following the 90 minutes.
He said: “It was a very well-matched game and Rochdale asked us a lot of questions. We had the answer to most of them but in the end the pressure told, and they took the game to penalties.
“Everyone scored their spot-kicks and the shootout went to sudden death. They hit a post before Theo Mussell scored to send us through.
“We showed good character and belief to get through the shootout and we now look forward to a semi-final. However, we will have to perform better and control longer periods of the game if we want to keep progressing.”
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