Sam Tillen was delighted with the work rate shown by his young side as they defended resolutely to emerge 1-0 victors at Rotherham United.
It was an even encounter in the first 45 minutes, but it was Tillen's men in the ascendancy in the second period as the breakthrough came after 85 minutes when Jaden Taylor's long ball forward dropped nicely for Josh Kennealey, who put the ball neatly over the goalkeeper.
Tillen was keen to highlight the disparity in physicality and age between the two sides, and how proud he was of his team for overcoming that.
He said: “We said concentration was going to be key and we couldn’t allow any lapses, and that is exactly how we played so I’m delighted for the lads.
“We defended extremely resolutely against a team who we knew were going to be physical and not make it easy for us to retain possession.”
Josh Kennealey was once again the man on the scoresheet, and it was nothing less than he deserved after a relentless performance at the top of the pitch.
Tillen added: “He was a boundless ball of energy, every time the ball went in behind he chased it down and every time their backline was on the ball he was there to hurry them.
“When the ball came up to him, he was able to hold it up brilliantly for us and he was just a constant menace and focal point in our attack throughout the game.”
City U18: Taylor, Trialist A, Trialist B, K. Oliver, Eyres, Sagoo, Preston, Wilson, Kennealey, Jubb (Blant 78'), Mande. Subs (unused): Don-Duncan, Evison, Huggins.