Island Youth Select 1

Man City Youth Academy 7

If last night's performance was anything to go by, then Manchester City's future appears bright.

City's stars of tomorrow offered a dazzling display of attractive football at the National Sports Centre before a sparse crowd of around 400 spectators that left the Island's Select - assembled at the 11th hour - simply awe struck.

The visitors moved swiftly to wrestle early dominance and once that was established it was only a matter of time before the goals started pouring in.

City's youngsters broke through in the tenth minute when forward Lee Croft gained possession on the edge of the 18-yard box and let fly with a rasping drive that cannoned into the top corner past Bermuda's Under-17 ‘keeper Daniel Johnson.

Five minutes later the visiting youth team doubled their lead through Ian Bennett who headed home a Steven Island corner before Broadly Wright struck twice in the 27th and 40th minutes and Jamie Thunder two minutes before the interval to provide City with a commanding 5-0 cushion at the half.

Though clearly outclassed for most of the opening half, Bermuda's youngsters did manage a few isolated raids on their opponents' goal but those opportunities repeatedly failed to penetrate a solid City defence.

However, while City may have had things all their way in the first half, all of that would change after the restart, as the local side, wearing North Village jerseys, made a few substitutions - although not before City had extended their lead to six via Leighton Slack's header from close range.

Thomas Watson was one of those introduced into the local team's attack at the half and his arrival made an immediate impact along with the impressive Lovintz Tota who ran relentlessly and was finally rewarded for his perseverance when he beat City keeper Keiren Westwood with a low drive.

However, it would be City who would have the final hurrah as Adam Brindle's header bubbled across the goal-line through a maze of local defenders to polish off the rout moments before the final whistle.

City will now take on a North Village Under-18 squad at the National Sports Centre tomorrow night.

“It was always going to be a difficult because I was calling one player one name when in fact it was the wrong name,” commented coach Goater afterwards.

“But they still did themselves proud and also Bermuda proud. I was pleased with their performances - especially man of the match Tota (Lovintz) and Watson (Thomas).”

Equally pleased by his own team's output was City's Tony Meehan. “I was very pleased with the team's performance and this is a particularly good side back in England,” he noted. “We've played 30 games and only lost one match. It's a very talented squad and we are looking forward to what might be in the near future.”