City Under-18s winger Ryan McAidoo says our narrow 1-0 FA Youth Cup semi-final win over Watford highlighted the team’s togetherness and strong mindset to earn positive results against challenging opponents.
Matty Warhurst, teed up by McAidoo, fired City ahead inside five minutes with a fantastic half volley which would prove to be the decisive factor in what was a thrilling, evenly contested affair.
Both sides had plenty of chances with Oliver Reiss’s youngsters carving out the most opportunities to put the game to bed against the Hornets. McAidoo was ever-present in that, linking up well with Matty Henderson-Hall on the right and also causing the Watford defenders problems constantly with his speed and agility.
MATCH REPORT | WATFORD 0-1 CITY
Unable to find a second strike, however, McAidoo applauded his teammates for another sturdy performance that saw us through to the final, following equally difficult wins in recent weeks over Wolverhampton Wanderers, Stoke City and Blackburn Rovers.
“It’s great, obviously I just wanted to come out and express myself again and so it’s good we got the result tonight,” began McAidoo.
“We could have scored a bit more but it was a difficult game and it’s something we will look to work on for the final.
“I think just having so many shots is a good sign and we were unfortunate not to get a second but we got the first one and that’s all that matters.
“I think we could have played better in the first half but you can’t always play your best football, sometimes you have to win at your worst to show you’re worthy of the win and we should take confidence from that.”
The victory at Vicarage Road on Thursday evening means we will travel to Aston Villa as cup holders and look to retain the prestigious trophy for the first time in the Club’s history.
It’s McAidoo’s first glimpse of potential silverware since joining City’s Academy in the summer and he explained that he is ready for the challenge ahead in order to become FA Youth Cup champions.
“Obviously the goal is to win full stop, the goal is to win,” said McAidoo.
“So I'm not really thinking about the opponents. I'm just thinking about playing well and going from there. For me, that's all that matters right now.”
