MAN CITY YOUTH 2, OXFORD UNITED YOUTH 0.
Manchester City’s first fixture at their swish new Academy Stadium produced a victory against Oxford United in the third round of the FA Youth Cup.
Goals from local lad Marcus Wood and Bersant Celina made it a winning bow as the kids opened their youth cup campaign with a comfortable victory.
Had City displayed more of a cutting edge, they would have triumphed by a more decisive margin.
And though this was not the official opening of the new stadium, the game is the first of a number of scheduled ramp-up events needed to gain a safety certificate.
It was a low-key opening in which City created only one meaningful early chance when Aaron Nemane burst through on goal only to somehow contrive to shoot wide.
The deadlock was broken just short of the half hour when dangerous-winger Nemane cut the ball back for 16-year-old Sale lad Wood to fire home from 10 yards.
City had further chances to extend their lead before the break as Wood weaved his way clear only to shoot straight at keeper Jack Stevens who also saved from Jose Angelino Esmoris Tasende and Isaac Buckley-Ricketts.
Oxford, who offered little threat in the opening period, were far more dangerous as Fred Grant forced a decent save from City keeper Charlie Albinson.
City regained control midway through the half creating a succession of chances as Celina and Javairo Dilrosun twice apiece, Nemane, Tasende and substitute Paolo Fernandes were all denied by decent saves from Stevens.
But it was not until the third minute of stoppage time that City sealed victory through a neat finish by Norwegian Celina who exchanged passes with substitute Manuel Garcia.