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FA Youth Cup
Thursday 11 December, Moss Lane
MANCHESTER UNITED 2
(Pogba 1, Ajose 30)
BIRMINGHAM CITY 0
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10/12/2009 21:01 - ManUtd.com, Nick Coppack
FAYC: United 2 Birmingham 0
United secured safe passage to the FA Youth Cup fourth round with a convincing 2-0 win over Birmingham City at Moss Lane.
First-half goals from Paul Pogba and Nicky Ajose put the Reds in the driving seat before Conor Devlin produced a superb penalty save to preserve the two-goal cushion.
City, who reached the semi-finals of the competition last season, enjoyed decent possession in both halves but lacked cutting-edge in the final third. They certainly could have taken notes from Pogba, who rose unmarked after just 57 seconds to head home Ajose’s wide free-kick and hand United a dream start. It was the Frenchman’s third goal for the Under-18s since his high-profile arrival from Le Havre and once again he proved his worth with a sparkling performance in the middle of the park.
Although rattled early, the visitors didn’t panic and carved out their first opening on nine minutes when James McPike blazed wide after good work from Jake Jervis on the left. Reds boss Paul McGuinness was then forced into an unplanned change after Tom Thorpe failed to recover from an early knock sustained in a committed tackle.
United’s defence, already somewhat makeshift, was reshuffled as Michele Fornasier moved into the heart of defence and substitute Alberto Massaci slotted in on the right. As the back four took time to settle, goalkeeper Conor Devlin was drawn into routine saves from Akwasi Asante and Jervis. Birmingham began to assert themselves on the match and it looked as though the visitors might snatch an equaliser.
But with almost half-an-hour gone, United broke quickly and a clever touch from Davide Petrucci found William Keane just outside the City penalty area. His first touch played in Ajose, who, steaming in from the right wing, took one touch before firing low across Birmingham goalkeeper Jack Butland and into the far corner.
Butland, an England Under-17 international, then produced fine saves from Ravel Morrison, Petrucci and Ajose to deny United a third before the break.
The young stopper was rapidly emerging as City’s star, but Reds goalkeeper Devlin eclipsed Butland’s heroics early in the second half with a fantastic save from the penalty spot. Pogba was adjudged to have brought down Jervis inside the area and the striker stepped forward himself to blast a shot towards the bottom corner. What he didn’t count on was Devlin flying full-length to his right to tip the ball around the post.
United survived a goalmouth scramble before left back Sean McGinty wasted a chance to put Paul McGuinness’ men further in front with a header from close range. Ravel Morrison let fly with two strikes from outside the box in quick succession but neither hit the target. William Keane fared a little better on 79 minutes when his first-time effort beat Butland. Unfortunately for the Stockport-born striker, the ball cannoned off the upright and out to safety.
With time running out, Birmingham City threw more men forward. But Devlin continued to frustrate the visitors, commanding his penalty area well and showing safe hands when dealing with a number of long-range efforts. United almost exploited the extra space left at the back but neither Petrucci nor Keane could extend the 2-0 scoreline.
The result earned United a spot in Friday’s FA Youth Cup fourth round draw
United: Devlin; Fornasier, Thorpe (Massaci 21), Wootton, McGinty; Ajose, Tunnicliffe, Pogba, Morrsion; Petrucci, Keane W
Subs not used: Johnstone, Cole, Lingard, Cofie
Booked: McGinty, Wootton, Pogba
Birmingham: Butland; Dunphy, Packwood, Preston, Rowe; McPike (Bogle 74), Mutch, Sammons; Hubbins, Jervis, Asante
Subs not used: Redmond, Daniels, Hronec, Ntambwe
Booked: Sammons