Report: City U15s 1-3 Crewe Alexandra U15s

City’s youngsters set up the final at Ashton Gate, having overcome Cambridge United 3-1 in the Southern Region Finals last week.

Crewe had the first opportunity of the final, but their attacker couldn’t find the target with his header.

That chance spurred City into life, and they came close with a chance of their own. Dylan Lewis put a good cross into the area, but Zac Bell’s stretching effort was just off target.

Just before the half hour mark, City were in front. Lewis’s ball into the box evaded a touch, but the second cross from Brown was perfect for Kadji to head beyond the goalkeeper.

Crewe would find their equaliser just before half time. City failed to clear their lines, and the ball fell into the path of Higgins, who tapped in to level.

City started the second half brightly, and almost regained the lead within moments of the restart. A cross from Kadji was floated to the back post, which the Crewe goalkeeper failed to deal with, but Brown’s effort was just wide.

Despite City having some good spells with the ball, it was Crewe who went ahead. After the away side passed the ball around well, they found Tabinor who turned and finished beyond the City goalkeeper.

The young City side went in search of an equaliser, and came within inches of levelling. Another cross by Kadji was met by Seb Palmer-Houlden, but his header went just over the crossbar.

Bristol City’s Luca Smith stretched well to tip a Crewe free kick over the cross, but couldn’t do anything about O’Riordan’s header from the resulting corner.

Unfortunately, City were unable to find a way back into the game but can take great pride in their achievements throughout the competition. Playing in the final of a national cup feat is fantastic experience for the boys and will only serve to enhance the young players’ development.

Bristol City Under-15s squad: Luca Smith, Raph Araoye, Dylan Kadji, Harry Leeson, Will Sage, Rohan Nelson, Dylan Lewis, Charlie Bullock, Seb Palmer-Houlden, Sol Akinyemi, Cowan Lewis, Filbert Owusu-Antwi, James Walker, Sam Akinyemi, Jaden Brown, Zac Bell, Omar Taylor-Clarke, Tom Brazier.

Words: Ryan Payne