U18s: United v Middlesbrough

The visitors had flown into a first-half lead, when Daniel James slotted a low drive past Cameron Byrne-Hughes to open the scoring.

But an inspired United turnaround in the final twenty minutes turned the game on its head as first James Scanlon converted from close range.

Our young Reds completed the comeback when Jim Thwaites thumped home an 81st-minute penalty, after an impressive solo display.

And there was still time for Scanlon to add a third in injury time, as he grabbed his second goal of the evening, to put the game beyond Boro altogether.

FIRST HALF

It took the visitors just twelve minutes to find the opener at Carrington, with Lucas Harrison spreading a superb pass into the feet of James.

James did have two bites at the cherry, as first he was denied by Byrne-Hughes. However, the rebound fell kindly to the forward, who in turn tucked his effort into the bottom corner.

Thwaites's attacking thrust almost earned an instant leveller, before Ollie Lloyd was on hand to deny him down to his right.

Defender Dante Plunkett was the next to come forward down the left flank, played in cleverly by Thwaites. His low drive was turned behind for corner as our young Reds upped the ante.

Amir Ibrigamov then saw his strike blocked on the goal line as the first half ebbed on, before Victor Musa's header cannoned back off the woodwork in further frustration.

Lloyd was on hand to keep Boro's advantage as we reached the interval shortly after, denying Musa again after Thwaites had smartly lifted a cross into the six-yard box.

SECOND HALF

As the second 45 minutes began, debutant Jayden Ngwashi rose the highest to meet Samuel Lusale's cross. His header was easily collected by the continually-busy Lloyd.

Adam Lawrence made four changes as we reached the hour mark, with Scanlon, Gabriel Biancheri, Tyler Fletcher and Godwill Kukonki all introduced.

It was Scanlon who was involved straight away, with Ibragimov's cutback falling to the feet of the Gibraltar international, but his strike flew over the bar.

Anton Palmer found some space in a rare attack for the visitors as we reached the final twenty minutes. The Middlesbrough man took aim with a powerful drive that was held well by Byrne-Hughes.

But Lawrence's side asserted some dominance following the flurry of changes, with Fletcher playing a delightful pass that found Scanlon in acres of space. He drove at goal before tucking home the equaliser at Carrington.

Our turnaround was complete just ten minutes later, with Ibragimov hauled down inside the area, earning our young Reds a spot-kick and a chance to flip the scoreline around.

Thwaites took on the responsibility - blasting his penalty past Lloyd with real conviction and with much to the joy of his team-mates.

The scoring was complete in added time, as a flowing counter-attack saw Scanlon blast home his second of the evening - with the prize a well-warranted three points, as the full-time whistle sounded shortly after.

MATCH DETAILS

United: Byrne-Hughes; Overy (Kukonki, 62), Ngwashi, Mills, Plunkett; Devaney (Fletcher, 62), Bailey, Thwaites; Lusale (Scanlon, 62), Musa (Biancheri, 62), Ibragimov.

Subs not used: Heath

Goals: Scanlon 71 & 90+3, Thwaites 81.