CITY U23’S DEFEAT LANGLEY FC IN CUP ACTION!

Combined Counties League Under 23 sides this season have been invited to play in Division One’s Esoteric Challenge Cup. And so it came to pass that City’s U23 side hosted Langley at the Spectrum. The visitors only arrived 40 minutes before kick-off which won’t have helped their preparation and consequently, they were a little slow out of the blocks. With an early chance Nathaniel Mensah slid the ball past the advancing Langley keeper Shane Farrer to give City the lead. But with some talented players on show Langley got into the game and City keeper Jack Coleman had to save well on 21 minutes. Minutes later Langley had a great opportunity with a striker in plenty of space but the chance was rushed and the shot went well wide. Billy Connor and Nat Mensah had both limped off with injuries during the first period, but one of the replacements Seb Messina rounded the keeper but his goal bound effort was cleared from the line.  Late in the half both Mike Coppinger and Kyrell Palmer saw efforts go close.

Harrison Livingstone had an early effort in the second period deflected for a corner before on 54 minutes Langley equalised when Emmanuel Nwokebuife bundled the ball home. Six minutes later City regained the lead. Livingstone made good ground on the right and his low cross was met by 17-year-old substitute Fariz Khallouqi who pulled off a defender nicely to meet the cross and shoot home into the roof of the net. James Glover saw a half volley brilliantly saved by Farrer. Harrison Livingstone then nudged an effort just wide in a 1 on 1 opportunity. Late in the game, including eight minutes of added time, Langley threw everything forward in search of an equaliser and twice Jack Coleman saved well to ensure that City advanced to the next round.

Referee: Ben Maskery

Attendance – 59