U18s: United 2 Wolves 1

Sixteen-year-old striker Louie Bradbury’s first goal at this level had the young Reds ahead in a dominant performance against Wolverhampton Wanderers, but Adam Lawrence’s team later required some fortune to triumph. The visitors levelled before half-time, only to concede an own goal late on which restored United’s narrow advantage and led to a well-deserved but tight victory.

The game until then had frustrating similarities to last Saturday’s 0-0 draw against Newcastle United, in which Lawrence’s team had created many chances but failed to convert. Thankfully, on this occasion, the winning goal finally came and helps United reduce the gap to Manchester City at the top of the league table.

As in last Saturday’s frustrating home draw with Newcastle, United’s U18s started this game with intensity and some quality. Frequently holding possession in the opponent’s final third, United worked several early chances, without being able to beat George Hardy in the Wolves net.

Dante Plunkett’s left-wing cross set up Amir Ibragimov to shoot, but his effort was denied, the loose ball then dropping for right-back Jaydan Kamason, whose regular involvement in attacks showed United’s dominance. He shot over.

Albert Mills headed over from Ibragimov’s crossed free-kick soon after, Bradbury struck the crossbar and then curled one over, while Hardy had to punch a James Bailey free-kick over the bar, too.

Unlike on Saturday, United eventually found an opening. Kamason turned his man nicely on the right-wing before pulling back for Bradbury, who had cleverly found space. He finished clinically into the far left side of the goal. It’s his first time finding the back of the net at this level.

Mere minutes passed before the scores were level, though. Wolves responded well to going behind and undid United’s hard work quickly. Minkyu Ji dinked a clever cross over Cameron Byrne-Hughes from inside the area, and Jake Wilcox headed in simply at the back post.

In a more end-to-end conclusion to the first half, Bradbury forced Hardy into a decent save with a powerful effort following United’s speedy counter-attack. Wilcox struck the left post for the visitors.

United limited the visitors to few chances after the break, and continued to create regular opportunities. Ibragimov headed Bailey’s excellent left-wing cross over the bar before his own right-wing ball teed up Biancheri. He duly finished but was unfortunately flagged offside.

After Plunkett shot over, Ibragimov curled one outside the right post and substitute Victor Musa struck the crossbar, a slice of fortune finally dropped United’s way. Kamason’s cross was deemed dangerous enough by Saheed Olagunju to intervene and the Wolves defender unintentionally turned the ball past his own goalkeeper to restore United’s lead late on.

Samuel Lusale, who came on alongside Musa after 61 minutes, provided plenty of excitement down the right wing and headed one over with five minutes remaining before lifting an effort over both the out-rushing Hardy and the crossbar when one-one shortly after.

Own goal-scorer Olagunju forced a decent save from Byrne-Hughes at the other end before Ibragimov’s deflected effort gave Hardy something else to think about, but the Wolves shot-stopper was equal to it.

MATCH DETAILS

United: Byrne-Hughes; Kamason, Mills, Armer, Plunkett; T. Fletcher (c), Shah (Lusale 61), Bailey; Ibragimov, Bradbury (Musa 61), Biancheri (Thwaites 72).

Unused subs: McCormack, Heath.

Goals: Bradbury 39, Olagunju OG 81 | Wilcox 41