United triumph in the mini-derby

United, the Under-18 Premier League reigning champions, put in a controlled display on the other side of Manchester, at the City Football Academy.

The opening 45 minutes were well-contested, with both sides having opportunities come their way, but United pulled clear with a clinical approach in the early stages of the second half – with fine finishes from Gabriele Biancheri and Bendito Mantato.

United had the first chance – and perhaps the best of the half – inside 15 minutes, when Tyler Fletcher played Biancheri through to shoot, but the striker fired a left-footed effort into the side netting.

Will Murdock made a handful of decent stops to keep City at bay, although the hosts failed to hit target from some of their better openings – Reigan Heskey and Matty Warhurst both firing over the top right-hand corner, while Finlay Gorman glanced a header wide.

Tyler Fletcher turned recipient of United’s next presentable opportunity, when picked out by a Godwil Kukonki after he’d made a driving run forward from defence, but the Reds midfielder saw his first-time effort held by City goalkeeper Oliver Whatmuff.

After a close contest in the first half, United made the perfect start to the second – taking a 50th-minute lead through Biancheri. Bendito Mantato drove infield with purpose from the right-hand side, before reversing it wide for Tyler Fletcher to cross, whose enticing low delivery was tapped home by Biancheri from close range.

The young Reds doubled our advantage eight minutes later, as Biancheri dropped deep and played a clever ball into the area, finding Zachary Baumann, turning well to play it across the face, where Mantato connected with an expert finish into the bottom-right corner.

City might have replied on the hour through Warhurst, who had two chances in quick succession, but he was well denied by a sprawling Murdock to save his first shot across goal, before the forward skewed an unchallenged header wide moments later.

Jimmy Thwaites made a positive impact from the bench in the closing stages, setting up Biancheri for another opportunity when he saw a shot well saved.

But another goal was ultimately not needed, with United putting in a professional display to preserve the clean sheet and all three points in our opening league encounter.

MATCH DETAILS

United: Murdock, Kamason, Kukonki (Plunkett 89), Fitzgerald, Armer, Devaney, Fletcher (Thwaites 71), Mantato, Baumann, Scanlon (Ibragimov 78), Biancheri.

Subs not used: Hughes, Mills.

Goals: Biancheri 50, Mantato 58.