Imps U18 1 Walsall U18 0

Sam Tillen watches from the sidelines during City U18s' win over Walsall

Sam Tillen praised his side’s concentration after keeping their third clean sheet of the season against Walsall.

A fantastic first half performance from Dakara Wifa saw him score his sixth goal in four games giving the Imps another three points in the EFL Youth Alliance at the Elite Performance Centre.

Tillen said: “Dakara’s goal lit up the first half. He picked up the ball in an area where he likes to, and then the execution of his shot was superb. He’s got the quality, and he has shown that this season.”

Tillen picked out young goalkeeper Jaden Taylor for praise after two crucial saves helped the young Imps extend their league unbeaten run to nine games.

He added: “We made poor decisions at times, but Jaden Taylor made two fantastic saves which were great, and he’s done very well this season. It was epitomised in those two moments.

“It was good to have Kian Sagoo with us today and he made the most of his opportunity, and then Lewy Oliver has been brilliant since he came up with the 18’s and it was another consistent performance from him again.”

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