United and Rochdale remember Joe Thompson

Our Under-21s’ friendly match at the home of the National League side was dedicated as ‘A Game For Joe’ to honour the memory of our former Academy player, who died in April at the age of 36.

After joining United at the age of nine, Joe left the Reds as a 16-year-old to join Rochdale, where he achieved legendary status in 203 appearances over three spells before retiring in 2019.

Twice given the all-clear from cancer during his 13-year playing career, the popular former MUTV pundit was diagnosed a third time last year, yet still showed tremendous courage and helped to raise over £20,000 for charity by joining a walk with hundreds of fans, friends and ex-team-mates from Old Trafford to Rochdale.

Joe’s family chose some of his favourite songs which included Take Me Home by Jess Glynne and Better Days by Dermot Kennedy during the build-up on Saturday. Just before kick-off, the 1,756 fans in attendance joined both teams in a minute’s applause - which was repeated again in the 15th minute, when there were also chants of “Only One Joey Thompson”.

Joe’s brother Reuben, daughter Thailula and wife Chantelle also received the pre-match pennants from both captains and shirts bearing Joe’s name at the side of the pitch, as well as conducting the half-time raffle draw.

Rochdale announced on Friday that they have retired the squad number 15, which Joe wore, in his memory, while shirts from the match will also be auctioned off to raise funds for Joey T’s Foundation.

TWO SECOND-HALF GOALS SEES SPOILS SHARED

The match itself served as valuable preparation for the Reds’ upcoming Premier League 2 campaign, as well as Rochdale’s final pre-season fixture before their National League campaign gets under way at Boreham Wood next Saturday.

The young Reds settled well into the game and dominated possession in the early exchanges - but, with both defences on top, goalmouth action was few and far between.

The home side created the first chance of note midway through the half when Tobi Adebayo-Rowling’s right-wing cross was headed towards goal by Emmanuel Dieseruvwe, who brought a splendid reflex save from Cameron Byrne-Hughes, before former United Academy player Aidan Barlow fired the loose ball over the crossbar.

Minutes later, Devante Rodney got in front of Daniel Armer at the near post but could only steer Joe Pritchard’s centre wide of the goal. It took half an hour for the Reds to notch an effort at goal as Byrne-Hughes’ raking pass forward seeking out Gabriele Biancheri was cut out by the advancing Rochdale keeper Oliver Whatmuff, whose clearance dropped to James Scanlon but his 30-yard lobbed attempt landed inches off target.

At the other end, Pritchard got on the end of Kyron Gordon’s hooked cross and gave Byrne-Hughes a routine save to make with a header which lacked power.

Dale thought they had taken the lead in the 38th minute when Dieseruvwe tapped home from close range but referee Kavan Hurn adjudged that Byrne-Hughes had been fouled by the striker in the build-up.

As the sun emerged in Rochdale, the hosts — who finished fourth in last season’s National League before losing out in the play-offs to Southend — made a bright start to the second half.

Dieseruvwe checked inside and unleashed a right-footed strike from the edge of the area which flashed wide, before failing to make sufficient headed contact on Adebayo-Rowling’s cross.

From a quickly-launched attack of our own, the Reds had a golden chance as Scanlon glanced a header wide unchallenged from six yards, following promising play by Ethan Ennis. But United did take the lead just after the clock ticked past the hour mark, as Scanlon’s threaded pass carved open the Rochdale defence and released Ennis, whose angled shot found the roof of the net.

The Reds went close to doubling the advantage midway through the half when Mather’s curling attempt was kept out by Whatmuff, before our no.11’s pullback was met by Scanlon, but he rifled his effort narrowly over the crossbar.

The hosts levelled matters in the 73rd minute as Adebayo-Rowling arrived at the back post to meet Pritchard’s low cross and thought they had turned it around soon after but Dieseruvwe was in an offside position when he headed home Ryan East’s fizzing delivery.

Rochdale’s no.9 continued to cause problems as he climbed above the Reds backline to meet Rodney’s left-wing cross but could only direct his header off target.

With Dale on top in the closing stages, substitute Levi Amantchi almost made an impact as Byrne-Hughes reacted well to parry his header away from goal, before the no.12’s thunderous drive in stoppage time crashed off the underside of the crossbar.

Spoils were shared on an afternoon that was about much more than the result. The teams will be reunited again in October in the National League Cup, which will feature a special trophy in honour of Joe Thompson - as will all future meetings of the clubs.

MATCH DETAILS

United: Byrne-Hughes; Kamason, Devaney (c), Armer, Amass; T.Fletcher; Baumann (Fitzgerald 70); Scanlon, Ennis, Mather; Biancheri.

Substitutes not used: Mills, Trialist, McAllister.

Goals: Ennis 61 | Adebayo-Rowling 73