Cup joy for Hackett's heroes

Victory

FA Youth Cup - Photo Special

After the heartache experienced by their first team counterparts 24 hours earlier, Jim Hackett and his team helped lift spirits at the Saunders Honda Stadium as they knocked Tottenham Hotspur out of the FA Youth Cup this evening.

A Paul McManus header in the 23rd minute of the game was decisive in a game where Chester City's under 18's more than matched their Premiership counterparts.

Amidst windy conditions at The Saunders Honda Stadium, it was City who provided great entertainment in front of the assembled 411 supporters.

As early as the 3rd minute, McManus set out his stall as he attempted to create from a Steven Thorpe pass.

Spurs did not appear to be able to settle as Chester City piled on the early pressure against the North London outfit.

City's Steven Thorpe made more than a half chance in the 14th minute when he struck straight at Spurs keeper David Button.

The Blues were mapping out that this was their turf and this paid off when on the 23 minutes, In form Youth player Paul McManus headed home from 7 yards after he latched onto a great ball crossed in from the left by Sean Newton.

There appeared to be no immediate inspiration from the Tottehham side, who eventually had a couple of corners which were dealt with by City's back line.

In the 37th minute, Steven Thorpe almost doubled City's advantage when he was forced to shoot wide left when challenged by Tomas Dekhart.

Just as the first half drew to a conclusion, the visitors came close when Fraser-Allen drove a shot that City shotstopper Craig Vernon dealt with well after an initial City defensive mix up.

Half Time Chester City Under 18's 1 Tottenham Hotspur Under 18's 0

FA Youth Cup - Photo Special

Hackett's counterpart, Alex Inglethorpe made a change at the beginning of the second half. Takura Mtandari made way for Andros Townsend and a number of Spurs players were re-positioned.

City remained resolute however and although Spurs appeared to be getting greater possession, their endeavours were matched by Hackett's lads.

James Owen made defended well on 52 minutes when he blocked a 10 yard Joe Martin volley.

Seven minutes from the hour mark, The industrious Thorpe was taken off and Giovanni Feliciello replaced him, this was followed by Jack Rowlands introduction into the game in the 65th minute as he came on for Glenn Rule.

A flurry of City corners had Tottenham on the defensive again, Sean Newton's inswinger had David Button floundering to tip away the ball off the line. Imediately after, that lad again - McManus made a great attempt with a strike from 20 yards out which forced Button into action again.

Probably the closest chance for the Londoner's came as 73 minutes were notched up when a David Hutton free kick was well taken and the ball swung in from the right, Archibald-Henville jumped up for the ball and headed down fractionally wide of the upright.

Goal hero McManus was substituted in the 79th minute for Kieran Morrin. McManus received a great round of applause as he made his way off the park.

10 minutes from time, the first card was shown after a clumsy challenge by James Owen on Tomas Dekhart resulted in a yellow card being shown by Mr Trott.

As the clock ticked on, Spurs were applying a little pressure on City, but our lad's were not phased and continued to play well without panic. A final Tottenham Hotspurs substitution with about 5 minutes to go saw Inglethorpe bring on Luke Medley in place of Daniel Hutchings.

An anxious Jim Hackett asked the fourth official how much time was to play, "4 minutes" was the reply, could City hold on? Yes was the answer and it never really looked any different as City matched the 'big' boys from London, a team that featured 2 England Under 16 Internationals and an Under 18 England International.

In the fourth round, City will face an away tie at Bristol City, after the West County side beat Fulham 3-2 this evening.

Chester City: Vernon, Rule (Rowlands, 65), Newton, Roberts, Kelly, Owen, Mitchell, Carroll, Thorpe (Feliciello, 53), Gregory, McManus (Morrin, 79).

Unused substitutes: Robson, Brownrigg.

Tottenham Hotspurs: Button, Mtandari (Townsend, 46), Hughton, Archibald-Henville, Martin (Smith, 75), Casey, Fraser-Allen, Livermore, Pekhart, Hutchins (Medley, 85), Hutton.

Unused substitutes: Stroud.

FA Youth Cup - Photo Special