Sam Tillen was delighted with the performance of his squad and the tenacity shown in the second half of their 2-1 victory over Bradford City.
The young Imps’ first goal came through a trialist before the visitors equalised from a corner on the stroke of half-time but a second half strike from 14-year-old Mason Jubb was enough to negate that and earn City all three points.
Conditions played a big part in the game with the wind seriously affecting play, Tillen spoke about how his young squad used that to their advantage.
He said: “In the second half we tried to pin Bradford in their half with the wind at our backs and I thought we worked hard to make it very difficult for them.
“Our reward for that diligence came from an exceptional goal by the exceptional 14-year-old Mason Jubb.”
It wasn’t just the attacking end of the pitch where City had to show resilience, the whole back line defended resiliently but the man who deserved all the plaudits is young goalkeeper Isaac Shaw.
Tillen said: “When called upon, Isaac Shaw was a commanding figure in goal and made some vital saves in both halves.
“His performance allied with the performances of the backline and with a lot of graft it allowed us to come away with all three points.”
City U18: Shaw, Trialist A, Trialist B, Trialist C, K. Oliver (Eyres 46'), Sagoo (Wilson 67'), Trialist D (Trialist H 46'), Jubb, Trialist E (Kennealey 85'), Trialist F (Trialist I 46'), Trialist G.