U18s: Wolves v United
Manchester United clinched the Under-18 Premier League North title on Tuesday afternoon, by winning 2-1 away at the Sir Jack Hayward Training Ground.
Gabriele Biancheri struck twice in the first half, either side of a Conor McLeod finish for Wolves, as Adam Lawrence's team saw out the match in a professional manner to seal the championship with two games to spare.
After a frantic first half, the second 45 minutes were more cagey, but the Reds were able to maintain the advantage we had gained earlier in the contest.
FIRST HALF
The young Reds showed no signs of nerves on the big day, taking the lead after just 11 minutes through Biancheri, who slotted home Scanlon's low centre.
Lawrence's side were only ahead for nine minutes, with Minkyu Ji driving down the left and pulling the ball back to McLeod, who finished coolly to draw Wolves level.
Biancheri hit the post almost immediately after, but managed to restore United's advantage in our next attack, finding the net once more from a Scanlon delivery after Elyh Harrison's long kick found the Reds winger in behind the hosts' defence.
Scanlon was denied by Wolves goalkeeper Lewys James Benjamin as the Reds looked to add a third goal, before McLeod's shot was blocked by United defender James Nolan.
As the Midlanders looked to equalise again, Lennon Patterson flicked the ball past Harrison but Jack Kingdon was able to hook clear before an attacker could turn it home.
Patterson collided with the United keeper in the same passage of play, with Harrison receiving treatment before unfortunately having to be withdrawn from the match; he was replaced by Thomas Myles.
SECOND HALF
Cagey exchanges followed the restart, as neither side were able to really cut through each other's defence.
As Wolves pushed for a second equaliser, United broke, but after Biancheri found Scanlon on the right, the hosts were able to get across and clear the danger.
Biancheri went close to completing his hat-trick, rising high to flick Ethan Williams's dangerous free-kick delivery towards goal, but it went narrowly wide.
Shea Lacey, on as a substitute, was denied as he sought to put the game beyond Wolves, with Benjamin making an important save from close range.
The Reds saw out the remainder of the match with great professionalism, to be crowned champions of the Under-18 Premier League North.
MATCH DETAILS
United: Harrison (Myles 43); Kamason, Jackson, Kingdon, Nolan; McAllister (c), Baumann (Missin 61); Scanlon, Fletcher (Devaney 61), Williams (Curley 74); Biancheri (Lacey 74).
Substitutes not used: None.
Goals: Biancheri 11, 23 | McLeod 20.