Mak attack

Manchester City 1-0 Norwich City
The FA Youth Cup sponsored by E.ON
Sixth Round Proper
City of Manchester Stadium, Manchester City FC
2pm, Saturday 7 March 2009

A solitary strike from Robbie Mak at the City of Manchester Stadium was enough to fire Manchester City into the Semi-Final of The FA Youth Cup at the expense of Norwich City.

More than 3,000 fans braved a crisp north-west afternoon to take advantage of a fixture-free weekend for Mark Hughes' senior City side and see the clubs stars of tomorrow in action.

The home side went into the game unbeaten in 23 league and cup matches but were expecting a tough afternoon from a Norwich side that beat Everton on penalties in the previous round.

City made a bright start to the game and it was no surprise when Mak gave them the lead after 19 minutes.

Reece Wabara played in Mak, a veteran of City’s FA Youth Cup triumph last season, and the striker skilfully evaded defender Dario Dumic before flicking the ball beyond the advancing Declan Rudd in the Canaries' goal.

Chris Chantler almost doubled City’s lead before half-time, only to be denied by a superb reaction stop from England U17 international Rudd.

Slovakian-born Mak almost grabbed his second of the game midway through the second-half but could only fire over the bar with the goal at his mercy.

The game appeared to be heading beyond the Canaries, but they were handed a lifeline in the 79^th minute when Tom Adeyemi was brought down in the box by City substitute Omar Elabdellaoui.

Nick Davey stepped up for the pressure spot-kick, but agonisingly blasted his effort high over the crossbar.

There was still time for Adeyemi to threaten the City goal with a dangerous, dipping strike, but the home side held on to reach the semi-finals and continue their dream of back-to-back FA Youth Cup trophies.

Goals
Manchester City
Mak 19