U18S : MANCHESTER UNITED 1 SOUTHAMPTON 0
Manchester United’s Under-18s earned three points from their final game of the season on Saturday as Indy Boonen scored the only goal in a 1-0 win over Southampton at the J. Davidson Stadium.
Conditions in Altrincham were far from ideal due to the unpredictable weather that has confused and frustrated the people of Greater Manchester this week, with heavy rain and hailstorm pouring down on a pitch that was already displaying signs of wear and tear following a long season.
Yet neither side showed any reluctance to play and Angel Gomes went close to breaking the deadlock with a cheeky chip on 27 minutes. Southampton should have scored themselves a few moments later, when Ben Rowthorn’s shot was saved by Moutha-Sebtaoui before Harley Willard pounced on the loose ball to hit a powerful shot onto the bar from close range.
Tommy Martin’s men were under pressure for much of the first half but almost scored from a fine chance just before half-time, when some intricate passing play led to Tyler Reid being played through to the right of goal, though the powerful right-back could only hit his effort into the side-netting.
United made a bright start to the second half as the sun tried to break through in Altrincham and the Reds quickly took the lead on 50 minutes, as the impressive Gomes played a fantastic pass through the Saints defence for Boonen to unleash a calm and assured finish into the bottom corner.
Martin’s men controlled what transpired to be a comfortable second half and tried to find another goal, with DJ Buffonge going close with a curling effort that was parried wide on 67 minutes. The same player then forced another good save from the Saints goalkeeper on 72 minutes.
Although the visitors tried to push up the pitch as the clock ticked on, in an attempt to restore parity, the Reds held on to secure what was a straightforward 1-0 victory.
United: Moutha-Sebtaoui, Reid, Olosunde, Sang (Barlow 64’), Warren, Scott, Boonen, Kehinde, Tanner, Gomes, Buffonge (Makela 77'). Subs not used: Dunne, Dorrington, Ercolani.
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