U18s: United 3 Sunderland 2

Noah Ajayi's effort on the brink of half-time fired us ahead, before the Black Cats hit back quickly in the second period through Tom Proctor and Felix Scott.

But two quickfire efforts of our own, one from Chido Obi and then the winner from Junior Brown, sealed our spot in the last four of the youth tournament.

We will now played Crystal Palace for a place in the final, with a date and time to be confirmed for the fixture.

FIRST HALF

The very first chance of the game fell to the visitors inside the opening 60 seconds, as midfielder Charles Dinsdale tried his luck from range.

After 15 played, and plenty of back and forth, Gabriel played a neat ball into the feet of Obi, who shot just wide in an early sighter for our young Reds.

Gabriel was again involved soon after, completing a nice turn and spin, before his effort was too high and sailed over the crossbar.

Jim Thwaites had a free-kick on the half-hour mark, but applied too much power on this occasion, as our search for an opener continued.

But with just minutes of the first half remaining, the deadlock was broken, with Ajayi creating and finishing the move all by himself.

Our no.11 for the evening picked up the ball in Sunderland's half before driving towards goal with a vengeance, smashing the ball past Joseph Cowan to open the scoring.

Mobbed by his team-mates, Darren Fletcher's side went in the happier of the two teams at the interval, having been made to wait patiently for openings.

SECOND HALF

Godwill Kukonki was called into action with the second half just minutes old, clearing off the line after Marcus Neill's effort look destined to find the back of the net.

Neill then came agonisingly close to scoring again, chipping a delicate shot that beat Cameron Byrne-Hughes in the United goal, but sailed narrowly wide of the post.

Our young goalkeeper was then caught out as he handed possession back to the visitors, with Dinsdale sliding in Proctor, who smashed his shot off the bar and into the net to level the game.

Just three minutes later, Sunderland hit the front. This time, Scott was found unmarked in the box, before sweeping home a low finish that sparked wild celebrations on the Black Cats bench.

Thwaites then found himself in acres of space before blazing over the bar as Fletcher's young side attempted to get back into the game again, but there was still plenty of twists to come.

Obi stole a march on Sunderland skipper Finlay Holcroft, racing through on goal, similar to how he did in our last Youth Cup outing at Old Trafford, before taking his time to poke the ball past Cowan to make it level again.

And just moments later, Gabriel's driving run forward allowed Brown space over on the right of the box, before he applied the required finish to turn the tie around, smashing home at the near post.

Chido then almost added a fourth soon after, choosing to go alone and seeing his shot saved by the Black Cats goalkeeper.

The game then petered out somewhat as United opted to hold what we had, with Dinsdale's late drive easily saved by Byrne-Hughes, as three added minutes played out.

It's progression again for our Academy side, who will face the Eagles for a place in the FA Youth Cup final, with a date and time for that game to be announced. The two teams are also set to meet in April's U18 Premier League Cup final at Selhurst Park.

MATCH DETAILS

United: Byrne-Hughes; Helafu, Mills, Armer, Kukonki (Watson 72); McCormack (McEvoy 72), Thwaites; Brown, Gabriel, Ajayi; Obi.

Subs not used: Heath, Nkoto, Shah, Bradbury, Rooney.

Goals: Ajayi, Obi, Brown.

Attendance: 2,516.