Under-18s: United v Crystal Palace

It was an energetic start from visitors, but the young Reds soon took control in the opening 45 minutes, seeing the most of the ball and creating the best of the chances. 

However, it wasn't until the final minute of the half that we managed to break the deadlock. James Scanlon picked up the ball inside the box and his swift lay-off found Finley McAllister rushing towards the byline. From there, our captain managed to squeeze the ball beyond Hill from a very tight angle to give United the lead.

The young Reds looked like doubling our advantage minutes after the game resumed, when Scanlon curled an effort around Hill, who was off his line, but was denied by the underside of the bar.

Just 10 minutes later, left-back Harry Amass picked up the ball and was invited to drive forward by the Palace defenders. Still uncontested, our no.3 entered the six-yard box and struck a shot that took a deflection before nestling in the back of the net.

McAllister then added to his first-half contributions, this time driving down the flank and finding Gabriele Biancheri in the middle, whose initial effort was parried into the path of a grateful Ethan Wheatley to poke home and make it 3-0.

Our no.9, from the same side, then turned provider when he picked out a short pass to Biancheri, who managed to bundle the ball beyond Hill at the first time of asking. 

It was Wheatley who had the final say in the game, picking up the ball inside a congested box and firing home United's fifth and final goal, as the young Reds booked a place in the U18 Premier League Cup final with a five-star performance.

MATCH DETAILS

United: Harrison; Kamason, Munro, Jackson, Amass; McAllister, Devaney; Mantato (Biancheri 69), Scanlon (Thwaites 78), Missin (Bailey 82); Wheatley.

Substitutes not used: Myles, Armer.

Goals: McAllister 44, Amass 58, Wheatley 75, 90+1, Biancheri 84.