U21s match summary: Forest v United
Manchester United Under-21s drew 0-0 with Nottingham Forest in our penultimate fixture of the Premier League 2 regular season on Friday night.
McNeill was the young Reds’ primary scoring threat on the evening, and again went close to an opener on 24 minutes when his low strike from inside the box was saved by goalkeeper Aaron Bott.
Our own shot-stopper, Elyh Harrison, also had a key intervention to make in the first half, keeping out a one-on-one attempt from Esapa Osong shortly before the break, which appeared destined for the target. Osong had earlier curled narrowly wide and had the ball in the net, but for an offside flag.
After the break, Harrison got the better of Osong once more in the 56th minute. This save was even more impressive, as our keeper showed brilliant reflexes to spring down to his left and keep out the dangerous forward’s low try at a deadlock-breaker.
Our best opening of the encounter followed, falling to McNeill in the 70th minute, when the young striker connected with substitute Ethan Williams’s cross from the right and poked a first-time effort against the near post.
The majority of the action in the final quarter of the contest took place in United’s half, but the young Reds continued to put on a resilient front, maintaining the clean sheet. No bigger contribution was made towards that than by Harrison, who again denied a low attempt from Osong with a strong left hand late on.
In stoppage time, a forceful challenge from Jamie Newton on Sam Murray saw the former shown a straight red card, as Forest completed the remainder of the battle with a player less.
MATCH DETAILS
United: Harrison; Kamason (Kingdon 86), Bennett, Aljofree (c), Murray; Devaney, Curley (McAllister 64); Scanlon (Williams 64), Oyedele, Mather; McNeill (Biancheri 86).
Unused subs: Plumley.
Booked: Bennett, Devaney, McAllister.
Red card: Newton (Forest).