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Old 24-10-2020, 07:34 AM   #3
Andi Istiabudi
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Default Re: Sticky: Man United U-23 Matches 2020/21

UNITED U23S CLAIM FIRST WIN IN DRAMATIC FASHION

Manchester United’s Under-23s were celebrating our first Premier League 2 Division One victory of the season after Ethan Galbraith's 97th-minute penalty sealed an impressive performance from the Reds.

Neil Wood's side had to come from behind with Anthony Elanga getting the leveller after Ellis Simms had put Everton in front on the hour.

The win was marred to some degree when Reds goalkeeper Ondrej Mastny was taken from the field on a stretcher, after receiving treatment for several minutes. Happily, his coach Wood later confirmed the shot-stopper was up and about in the dressing room and showing no serious effects from his heavy collision with team-mate Will Fish.

United's senior Academy side went into this game against the Toffees on a similar path to the one negotiated by the club’s first team so far this season, enjoying more success when taking to the road.

Two away trips in Premier League 2, against Blackburn Rovers and Arsenal, ended with the Reds sharing the spoils, whilst the results of the previous couple of home games, when we welcomed Leicester City and Liverpool, had left us still searching for our first victory at Leigh Sports Village.

United, who trailed Everton by five points at the start of the game, were bolstered by the inclusion of three first-team players - defenders Marcos Rojo and Brandon Williams, whilst recently acquired 18-year-old Uruguayan winger Facundo Pellistri was also on the team sheet.

There was no rain on a crisp, chilly evening at Leigh, which felt a little like autumn standing aside as winter made one of its early appearances.

Sadly the stands were once again deserted as the match got under way with both teams displaying a high level of energy and adventure.

Williams went close to grabbing an early goal but just failed to connect with a slick Galbraith pass into the area.

Rojo fancied his chances on a couple of occasions, firing one wide from well over thirty yards and later grazing the post with curling free-kick.

It wasn’t, by any means, all United and the visitors must have rued their luck when goalbound efforts from Ellis Simms and Einar Iversen were blocked by the Reds’ defence.

Pellistri, who made something like thirty appearances for Penarol’s first team, back in his native Uruguay, started to show his pedigree as the game wore on and he was frequently involved when United threatened.

Everton moved in front, on the hour, when striker Simms found the net after Ondrej Mastny had made a terrific save to block the first attempt.

That was pretty much Mastny's last action of the game for shortly afterwards he was stretchered from the field, following that afore-mentioned collision with Fish. The clash allowed Simms the opportunity to double the lead but Williams scampered back to save the day.

Paul Woolston took over from the injured Mastny between the sticks and he was just in time to see his side level the scores with Elanga swapping passes with Joe Hugill before lashing the ball home.

Neil Wood’s lads certainly enjoyed the best of the closing stages and at times the Everton goal was virtually under siege. Only a brilliant save from the visitors' 'keeper Joao Virginia prevented Mark Helm from giving United the lead from open play.

The injury to Mastny meant that there was quite a chunk of time to add on and it was in the 97th minute that Galbraith struck from the penalty spot after Williams had been floored by Imam Jagne.

MATCH DETAILS

United: Mastny (Woolston 70); Williams, Mengi, Fish, Rojo (Hugill 46), Fernandez; Hannibal (Helm 68), Galbraith, Pellistri, Elanga, Shoretire

Substitutes not used: Ercolani, McCann.

Goals: Elanga 75, Galbraith pen. 90+7 | Simms 60.

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