City EDS hold nerve to win EFL Trophy clash in shootout

City's Elite Development Squad picked up two points in Group G of the EFL Trophy after a penalty shootout victory over Grimsby.

There was late drama at Blundell Park as substitute Reigan Heskey's 88th minute strike looked to have secured all three points for the Blues.

But the home side conjured up an injury time equaliser from Danny Rose to take the tie to a penalty shootout.

After both teams scored four of the penalty kicks, Jaden Heskey converted from the spot before Grimsby missed to hand City the win.

WHAT HAPPENED

The nights are dauntingly darker now but playing under the floodlights at Blundell Park seemed to not scare Ben Wilkinson’s squad who were up for the challenge ahead.

Heading into the game, our opponents sat 10th in League Two, yo-yoing between winning and losing as they try to find more consistent form.

But City’s youngsters were flying high with six successive wins in all competitions.

City almost took an early lead in the fifth minute but Emilio Lawrence’s shot on the edge of the Grimsby box skimmed across the slippy surface and away from goal.

When City controlled the ball, Grimsby refused to chase the game, instead of pressing the City player on the ball, their formation remained tight, forcing the young Blues to play intricate passes to try to find a way through to goal.

This was the narrative for much of the opening 20 minutes, with Grimsby’s only chance a Donovan Wilson close-range strike which Oliver Whatmuff collected with ease.

Wilkinson’s squad then managed to find a gap in Grimsby’s armour.

A give-and-go link-up play between Laykle Samuel and Justin Oboavwoduo saw the latter played in behind and given space to burst into the Grimsby box. His attempted cross deflected high and over the crossbar for a corner which was not converted.

As half-time approached the hosts saw more of the ball and in turn test our defensive solidity.

Stephen Mfuni and captain Max Alleyne were called into action a handful of times but the centre-back pairing managed to keep Grimsby’s Jason Svanthorsson and Donovan Wilson at bay.

Defenders Doug Tharme and Lewis Cass saw efforts saved or deflected shortly before the half-time whistle in a opening 45 minutes that felt like both teams had more to give when they returned to the pitch.

Svanthorsson picked up the ball on the left-hand side of the box after the ball was played into the City box  carried it central and unleashed to hit a shot on 55 minutes but it rolled wide of the left post.

Three minutes later Emilio Lawrence looked to catch keeper Jordan Wright off-guard with a thumping left-footed effort but the ball frustratingly spun away from goal. The opportunity thanks to the high press of his team-mates.

An instant impact from substitute Ryan McAidoo saw his effort test keeper Wright after fantastic hold-up play by Will Dickson allowed the City striker to play his team-mate through on goal.

With the end of the 90 minutes approaching, both benches were utilised to their maximum.

Fresh legs saw the intensity continue to rise and it would be the substitutes from both teams that would impact the scoreline.

With two minutes remaining, Reigan Heskey picked up the ball for City on the left corner of the Grimsby box, nudged the ball to give himself space to shoot and his effort soared into the top right corner.

But there was to be a late twist when Rose's header at the near post crept past Whatmuff to mute City’s celebrations and in turn take us to a penalty shoot-out as the two teams battled for an extra point.

Whatmuff followed in the footsteps of Ederson by volunteering to take one of the spot-kicks and made no mistake with City’s fifth.

And in sudden death, Cameron Gardner missed for Grimsby and in turn Wilkinson’s side picked up an extra point on the road.

HOW WE LINED UP

Oliver Whatmuff started in goal with a back line of Lakyle Samuel, skipper Max Alleyne, Stephen Mfuni and Seb Naylor just in front of him.

In midfield, Charlie Gray, Jaden Heskey and Michael Okeke were tasked with breaking up Grimsby’s attacks and carving out some for City.

Will Dickson led City’s front line with support either side of him in the form of Emilio Lawrence and Justin Oboavwoduo.

GRIMSBY XI | Wright, Cass, Luker (Hume 70’), Svanthorsson, Ainley (Green 53’), McJannet © (Rodgers 46’), Gardner, Tharme, Wilson (Rose 78’), Khouri (McEachran 46’)

SUBS | Auton, Warren.

CITY XI | Whatmuff, Samuel, Alleyne ©, Mfuni, Naylor (Braithwaite 62’), Gray, Oboavwoduo (McAidoo 76’), J. Heskey, Dickson, Okeke (Mukasa 87’), Lawrence (R. Heskey 76’).

SUBS | Hudson, Warhurst.

WHAT IT MEANS

City pick up two points in Group G and are still in with a fighting chance of qualifying for the knockouts.

UP NEXT

A quick turnaround sees us turn our attention back to the Premier League 2 when we welcome Norwich to the Joie Stadium on Friday 1 November.

Kick-off is scheduled for 19:00 (UK) and the game is available to watch live on CITY+.