NW London FC's newly launched U18 team made a sensational debut this week, securing a dominant 6–1 victory over the club's senior side in a pre-season friendly that underlined the potential of the youth setup.
The match marked the culmination of the first week of pre-season for the first team, who had only just returned to training days earlier. Still working back to fitness, the senior squad on the day included several new signings and trialists, with coaching staff using the game to assess both fitness levels and squad depth.
The U18s, meanwhile, came in with sharpness, intensity, and clear cohesion—and they made the most of it. Playing with confidence and structure, the youth side overran a rusty and experimental first team.
Yvann Yohan Gets on the Scoresheet
The first team's only goal came in the second half through Yvann Yohan, an 18-year-old from Ivory Coast, who was introduced from the bench and made an immediate impact with a well-taken finish.
Looking Ahead
More senior players are expected to rejoin the squad in the coming days as NW London continues pre-season preparations. Their next fixture will be an away test against AS London.
New U18 Staff Take the Reins
The launch of the U18 team is a significant step in NW London FC's long-term development strategy. The new coaching unit brings proven experience and chemistry, with much of the staff having worked together at Hillingdon Borough last season:
Bruno Aluotto – Manager
Clayton Afonso – Head Coach
Gustavo Mota – Assistant Manager
Pedro Pesqueira – Head Coach
Omar Ali – Coach / Team Administrator
Learna Francis – Welfare & Safeguarding Officer
With a statement performance and a strong foundation now in place, the next generation at NW London FC is already showing it's ready for the spotlight.