Under-18s: Southampton v United
Manchester United's Under-18s all but secured a place in the U18 Premier League Cup quarter-finals with a 5-1 win at Southampton.
A bright start in the south-coast sunshine by Adam Lawrence's side was rewarded with an early opener at the Staplewood Training Ground.
Ethan Wheatley had already struck a post before finding the net in the seventh minute, following in from close range after James Scanlon’s curling effort was parried by Dylan Moody.
The Saints keeper then brilliantly tipped behind a fierce effort by Scanlon and, minutes later, stood firm to deny Harry Amass’s powerful shot as United came forward, particularly down the left flank.
U18s images: Southampton v United
GallerySee action shots from our Under-18s' match against the Saints in the Saturday sunshine.
The young Reds were given a warning as Elyh Harrison produced a save - one of several he had to make - to thwart Princewill Ehibatiomham in a one-on-one situation as the Saints improved.
Wheatley finished well again to give United breathing space in the 36th minute, nodding in a downward header after Malachi Sharpe’s attempt at goal was blocked by Moody.
And, two minutes before the break, our no.9 completed his hat-trick with a left-footed strike from 20 yards following Scanlon’s lay-off.
It could have been even better for United before half-time as Jack Kingdon’s deflected shot inside the box came back off the post from Jack Fletcher’s corner.
Moody was busy again to keep out Wheatley on two occasions and push away Jack Fletcher’s effort, before substitute Gabriele Biancheri made it 4-0 in the 78th minute, tapping in the loose ball from close range after being denied initially by the Saints keeper.
Biancheri was then tripped in the box by Jayeden Moore, enabling Wheatley to clip in his fourth goal from the penalty spot five minutes from time.
Ehibatiomham slotted in a consolation goal for Southampton in the closing stages but the young Reds can be pleased after another winning display.
MATCH DETAILS
United: Harrison, Ogunneye (Devaney 61), Jackson (c), Kingdon, Amass, T. Fletcher (Curley 66), Fitzgerald, Sharpe (Biancheri 66), J. Fletcher, Scanlon (Missin 61), Wheatley.
Substitutes: Myles.
Goals: Wheatley 7, 36, 43, 85 pen, Biancheri 78 | Ehibatiomham 90
Booked: Ogunneye