Imps U18 5 Preston North End U18 1

Sam Tillen.

Sam Tillen is delighted with his side’s current form after three back-to-back wins.

City U18s continued their goal scoring form on Saturday afternoon, beating high-flying Preston North End 5-1 to move to the summit of the EFL Youth Alliance.

Tillen said: “It was pleasing as we know Preston are a very good side. We analysed them and saw a lot of good things so we knew it was going to be a tough game, but I thought the boys showed a fantastic mentality.”

Goals from Dan Vanderpuye, Zane Okoro, Kennealey and Gbolahan Okewoye gave the young Imps another dominant win after two similar displays against Port Vale and Notts County.

Tillen was pleased with Josh Kennealey’s impact from the bench as the 15-year-old scored his first goal for the U18s this season.

He added: “It was fantastic that 15-year-old Josh scored. It was a very calm and composed finish, and that finished the game really.

“The boys have worked really hard, they’d had a tough week in terms of the fixtures and we haven’t rotated the team too much. But when we have it’s been younger lads that have come in and taken their opportunities so to get through this period with nine points is really gratifying.”