A strong Wanderers Reserve side beat Manchester City 2-1 at the County Ground in front of Owen Coyle and his management team in the first competitive match of the new season.

Early goals from Michael O'Halloran and captain Danny Ward ensured that the side opened their Manchester Senior Cup campaign with three points, but a late flurry from City saw Jeremy Helan grab a consolation.

There were 90 minutes for Danny Shittu, Sean Davis and Andy O'Brien as they look to return to full match fitness.

Wanderers started the brighter, with debutant Tom Eaves heading at Manchester City's goalkeeper, David Gonzalez, within the first minute.

And it wasn't long until the home side, that featured Joey O'Brien and new signings Ivan Klasnic, Marcos Alonso, opened the scoring. O'Halloran latched onto a ball from full-back Joe Riley and lashed the ball past the goalkeeper's grasp, into the bottom right corner.



Moments later, Wanderers had doubled their advantage with Danny Ward's shot finding the back of the net via a deflection, after City had failed to clear a Sean Davis corner.

Wanderers then had Adam Bogdan to thank; the goalkeeper twice saving from Harry Bunn, as the visitors tried to get back into the game, before the striker sent his partner, John Guidetti through, only for the number 10 to be expertly tackled by Joe Riley.

The second half was a more scrappy affair before Gonzalez dropped Klasnic's through-ball at the feet of Danny Ward, only for the striker to shoot agonisingly wide from a tight angle on the edge of the box.

John Guidetti forced Bogdan into a comfortable save from the edge of the box but a late flurry saw City halve the deficit. Substitute Juan ole Roman hit the bar, only for Joe Riley to clear against winger Jeremy Helan, with the ball unluckily spinning over Bogdan and over the line.

Ben Mee was sent clear late on for the visitors but Wanderers held on to get their season off to a fine start.

After the game, first-team boss Owen Coyle said: "We felt that the senior professionals all needed match time and that was the reason for naming such a strong starting line-up. Their attitude's been excellent, added to some of the youth players Michael and Tope, so it's been a very worthwhile exercise and a deserved win."

Wanderers Reserves: Adam Bogdan, Joe Riley, Marcos Alonso, Dan Shittu, Andy O'Brien, Joey O'Brien, Michael O'Halloran, Sean Davis, Tom Eaves (Tope Obadeyi, 60), Ivan Klasnic, Danny Ward (c). (Subs not used: Mark Connolly, Jay Lynch, Sam Sheridan, Adam Blakeman.)

Goals: O'Halloran (8), Ward (12).

Man City Reserves: David Gonzalez, Shaleum Logan, Reece Wabara, Ben Mee, Chris Chantler, Omar Elabdellaoui, Scott Kay, Ahmed Benali (Frederic Veseli, 68), Harry Bunn (Juan ole Roman, 82), John Guidetti, Jeremy Helan. (Subs not used: Lorius Karuis, Mohammed Abu.)

Goal: Helan (90).

Referee: Mark Ackerman.

By Edward Bretherton