[Academy] Milk Cup 2012, Northern Ireland

[rondwisan]

MILK CUP - GLOBE

MANCHESTER UNITED 1
(Byrne 29)

STRIKERS FC 1

Strikers FC won 4-3 on penalties

25/07/2012 22:05 - ManUtd.com, A Marshall & H McConnell
Reds lose out on penalties



United drew 1-1 with Strikers FC in the Globe competition at the Milk Cup but were beaten 4-3 in a penalty shoot-out.

At least the result means there will be a chance to avenge the costly defeat to Co Tyrone in the Reds' final match of the tournament on Thursday. The game will kick off at 1.30pm at Castlerock.

After falling behind in the seventh minute, Irish striker Sam Byrne levelled just before the break with a header from a left-footed cross. There were no goals in the second half so a shoot-out was required to separate the two sides.

James Weir, Joe Rothwell and James Wilson all converted their spot-kicks but Andreas Pereira hit the bar. Josh Harrop needed to score to keep the Reds in the tie but he missed to cue celebrations from the Strikers.

United: Gollini; Weir, McConnell, McNair, Grimshaw (Rothwell); Redmond, Pereira, Goss, Harrop; Fletcher (Pearson), Byrne (Wilson).

[rondwisan]

MILK CUP - GLOBE

CO. TYRONE 2
(Patterson 30, McElvey 61)

MANCHESTER UNITED 2
(Byrne 20, Pereira 45)

United won 4-2 on penalties

26/07/2012 15:21 - ManUtd.com, A Marshall & H McConnell
Reds avenge Tyrone defeat



United avenged a first-game defeat at the Milk Cup to Co Tyrone by beating the Northern Irish team 4-2 on penalties after a 2-2 draw in normal time.

Sam Byrne opened the scoring after 20 minutes by smashing the ball into the bottom corner of the net following some intricate footwork. The lead lasted only 10 minutes as Aaron Patterson hit a low shot past Kieran O'Hara to level matters.

Although Andreas Pereira grabbed his first goal since arriving from PSV Eindhoven with a close-range header, a second Tyrone equaliser, when the ball fell to the feet of Sammy McElvey inside the box, forced another shoot-out.

Liam Grimshaw hit the woodwork but James Weir, James Wilson, Joe Rothwell all netted from 12 yards and Pereira, who had missed in Wednesday's penalties defeat to Strikers FC, showed great character to slot in the winner. So the Reds finished third in the Globe competition and seventh overall at the annual event.

United: O'Hara; Weir, McConnell, McNair, Rowley; Pearson, Rothwell, Pereira, Goss; Byrne, Wilson. (Substitutions not included).