U18s: Sunderland v Manchester United
Manchester United Under-18s played out a breathless 4-3 away to Sunderland in the U18 Premier League.
Sunderland took the lead through Cuba Mitchell on the half-hour mark, but Jayce Fitzgerald struck back for United just 10 minutes later.
Our impressive start to the second half was rewarded with Shea Lacey’s strike five minutes after the restart, before James Nolan converted a penalty just a few moments later.
Second-half substitute Jayden Jones found a route back into the game for the hosts, but Ethan Wheatley was on target to add our fourth of the afternoon soon after.
Trey Ogunsuyi nodded home Sunderland’s third in the early stages of stoppage time, but Travis Binnion’s side saw the game out well for a hard-fought victory.
Our impressive start to the second half was rewarded with Shea Lacey’s strike five minutes after the restart, before James Nolan converted a penalty just a few moments later.
Second-half substitute Jayden Jones found a route back into the game for the hosts, but Ethan Wheatley was on target to add our fourth of the afternoon soon after.
Trey Ogunsuyi nodded home Sunderland’s third in the early stages of stoppage time, but Travis Binnion’s side saw the game out well for a hard-fought victory.
Sunderland may have enjoyed early spells of possession, but Binnion’s side got a foothold in the game and grew into it well, carving out a flurry of chances.
The first of which fell to Lacey on the edge of the area, but his half-volley was met by the hosts' goalkeeper Matthew Young. The Black Cats’ shot-stopper was on hand to keep us at bay once again, saving Ethan Williams’s low volley from range soon after.
Despite our dominance, it was Sunderland who struck first on the half-hour mark. Mitchell picked up the ball on the edge of the area and drove into the box, holding off the defenders, before firing low and hard beyond Elyh Harrison from close range.
Our young Reds went in search of an immediate equaliser, but had to wait 10 minutes before getting back on level terms. Fitzgerald’s bulldozing run into the box was met by a bit of luck, as the ball fell to him one-on-one with Young, with our no.7 showing great composure to finish.
Just before the break, Habeeb Ogunneye made a vital intervention to prevent Sunderland from restoring their lead by preventing the ball from reaching Jake Walters at the back post for a tap-in.
The first of which fell to Lacey on the edge of the area, but his half-volley was met by the hosts' goalkeeper Matthew Young. The Black Cats’ shot-stopper was on hand to keep us at bay once again, saving Ethan Williams’s low volley from range soon after.
Despite our dominance, it was Sunderland who struck first on the half-hour mark. Mitchell picked up the ball on the edge of the area and drove into the box, holding off the defenders, before firing low and hard beyond Elyh Harrison from close range.
Our young Reds went in search of an immediate equaliser, but had to wait 10 minutes before getting back on level terms. Fitzgerald’s bulldozing run into the box was met by a bit of luck, as the ball fell to him one-on-one with Young, with our no.7 showing great composure to finish.
Just before the break, Habeeb Ogunneye made a vital intervention to prevent Sunderland from restoring their lead by preventing the ball from reaching Jake Walters at the back post for a tap-in.
The Reds started the second half just as we finished the first, and it would take us just five minutes get the go-ahead goal. Jaydan Kamason won the ball high up the pitch, playing it into the path of Lacey, who fired into the bottom corner to give United the lead.
Moments later, we were gifted the chance to create some breathing space by adding a third to our tally from the spot. Ethan Williams was quick to react to a loose touch, before he was fouled inside the area. Nolan was the one to take the spot-kick and slotted it in, down the middle, to make it 3-1.
Moments later, we were gifted the chance to create some breathing space by adding a third to our tally from the spot. Ethan Williams was quick to react to a loose touch, before he was fouled inside the area. Nolan was the one to take the spot-kick and slotted it in, down the middle, to make it 3-1.
With 20 minutes to go, the Black Cats pulled one back through second-half substitute Jones. Found on the edge of the area as a result of Thomas Lavery’s pull-back, he cushioned the ball into the net to set up a finely poised end to the fixture.
We soon restored our two-goal advantage, though, thanks to a composed effort from Wheatley. The United frontman intercepted a pass on the halfway line before driving toward the goal, rounding the goalkeeper, and slotting home for our fourth of the afternoon.
Trey Ogunsuyi nodded a third in for the hosts in the early stages of stoppage time, but we saw off any further late surges to earn a deserved victory away from home.
We soon restored our two-goal advantage, though, thanks to a composed effort from Wheatley. The United frontman intercepted a pass on the halfway line before driving toward the goal, rounding the goalkeeper, and slotting home for our fourth of the afternoon.
Trey Ogunsuyi nodded a third in for the hosts in the early stages of stoppage time, but we saw off any further late surges to earn a deserved victory away from home.
MATCH DETAILS
United XI: Harrison; Nolan, Aljofree, Ogunneye; Williams, McAllister (Scanlon 64), Fitzgerald, Kamason; Mather, Lacey; Wheatley (Musa 85).
Substitutes: Myles, Berry, Missin.
Goals: Fitzgerald 41, Lacey 50, Nolan 55, Wheatley 82.
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