UNDER-18S: MANCHESTER UNITED 1 SUNDERLAND 2
Barclays Under-18 Premier League | 16 January 2016 | Scorers: Boonen 32; Molyneux 7, Casey 50.
Manchester United’s youngsters put in a battling performance against Sunderland on Saturday afternoon, but they just fell short of halting their recent run of disappointing league results.
Paul McGuinness’s lads were certainly hoping for a timely boost ahead of Friday’s exciting FA Youth Cup fourth-round clash against Chelsea at Altrincham, and they certainly made a bright and enthusiastic start to the game in chilly but sunny conditions at the Aon Training Complex. Early frost had disappeared and the pitch looked perfect as the match got under way.
The Reds were full of running in the opening moments of the match and Sunderland were required to put in a good deal of chasing in an attempt to gain possession of the ball. That said, Black Cats winger Luke Molyneux cut in from the right to hit a fine warning shot that thudded against the woodwork.
Five minutes later, Molyneux tried his luck for a second time with more success as his strike flew fiercely into George Dorrington’s net. It was a disappointing setback for the young Reds who had looked the better team up to that point.
Happily, McGuinness's team responded well to Sunderland's opener and proceeded to look threatening when approaching the Black Cats’ penalty area. It therefore came as no real surprise when, in the 32nd minute, Indy Boonen provided the finishing touch to a splendidly-structured attack and levelled the game at 1-1.
The parity lasted until five minutes into the second half when Molyneux sent over a corner from the right and Sunderland skipper Dan Casey got above the United defence to head home.
The Reds, to their credit, kept their composure and continued to give the Sunderland defence some nervy moments. Callum Gribbin was really unlucky with a free kick that required a great save from visitors’ keeper Michael Waud to prevent it from entering the net. Jake Kenyon also went close, with a shot that could easily have produced a second equaliser.
At the other end, Dorrington performed well in goal, particularly in the second half, with a couple of saves that helped to keep his team in with a shout until the final whistle.
This was the young Reds' 10th straight defeat in the league but that can now be put to the back of their minds as the focus switches to Chelsea’s visit to Moss Lane on Friday. That promises to be a tantalising cup tie and will hopefully be, like the third-round victory over Queens Park Rangers, a night to remember.
United: Dorrington; Sang, Reid (Spratt 78), Dunne, Kenyon; Whelan, Gribbin, Scott, Kehinde (Tanner 74); Dearnley (Diedrick-Roberts 74), Boonen. Sub not used: Moutha-Sebtaoui (GK). Pictured: Tosun Kehinde.
This match was shown live on MUTV and the club's official television channel will broadcast highlights at 17:30 GMT on Sunday after post-match reaction to the first-team clash with Liverpool.
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