Last season’s beaten FA Youth Cup finalists Manchester City kicked-off their campaign with a 2-1 win at Portsmouth in the third round on Tuesday night.
Lukas Nmecha gave City the lead on 12 minutes but they did not have things all their own way and were pegged back with 20 minutes remaining when Harvey Bradbury, son of former City and Pompey striker Lee, found the bottom corner.
But Jason Wilcox’s team advanced thanks to Brahim Diaz’s fine solo goal nine minutes from time.
The FA Youth Cup
Third Round Proper
Tuesday 15 December 2015
By Josh Richards
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And City will meet Leeds United in the next round, after the Yorkshire club saw off Brentford 3-2 in a thrilling tie at Griffin Park.
Mallik Wilks gave the visitors a half-time lead, but Kyjuon Marsh-Brown pulled Brentford level shortly after the restart.
Henry Rollinson struck from long range to put Leeds back in front on 71 minutes, but their advantage was short lived with Zach Birse on target at the other end.
Yet straight from the restart, Tyla Bell swept in Matty Downing’s cross for the winner.
Luton Town stormed into the fourth round for the first time in nine years with a 4-1 win at Notts County.
The Hatters, now unbeaten in 22 games, went in front on 15 minutes when Freddie Hinds stroked in and Jack Snelus finished off a slick passing move before converting a sublime second soon afterwards.
But the hosts were given a lifeline on the half-hour mark when Luton captain Frankie Musonda was sent off for a foul on Montel Gibson, who duly dusted himself down to scored the resultant penalty.
George Murray restored Luton’s two-goal advantage moments into the second half though to seal their progress.
Reading snatched victory from the jaws of defeat as they eventually saw off Sheffield United 3-1 after extra time.
Connor Hall had seemingly put the visitors in round four with his 51st minute goal, but defender Gabriel Osho hit a last-gasp leveller.
The game turned on 113 minutes when the Blades goalkeeper was sent off for a foul on Sam Smith and Josh Barrett converted from the penalty spot to put Reading in front.
Then with virtually the final kick of the tie, England Under-17s striker Danny Loader finished off a counter attack with Reading’s third.
And Crystal Palace saw off a brave challenge from Accrington Stanley to win 3-2 after extra time.
Corie Andrews and Luke Dreher had put Palace 2-0 up by half-time. But a Nathan Webb penalty and Stuart Callaway drive forced extra time.
The tie was finally decided though through Palace substitute Levi Lumeka.
