U18s report: Stoke City 1 United 2

The first half proved to be a well-fought contest, with the hosts giving Darren Fletcher's side a tough time defensively, but Rafe McCormack managed to open the scoring moments before the interval.

Jayden Ogbebor levelled the game on the other side of the break, managing to squeeze through the young Reds' defence before lifting a finish over Fred Heath.

It looked destined to end all-square as we went into the fourth minute of stoppage time, until Louie Bradbury managed to turn home Yuel Helafu's cutback to secure all three points.

FIRST HALF

It was a relatively slow start to the game at Clayton Wood, with both sides taking their time in working each other out in the Saturday morning clash.

The Potters almost took an early lead, when Ogbebor came close to intercepting Fred Heath from a short goal-kick, but the United gloveman recovered well to prevent an almost certain goal.

Stoke proved resolute defensively, but Noah Ajayi managed to cause their backline problems twice in quick succession towards the end of the half, twisting and turning to get a pair of powerful shots on target from almost the same position, albeit both were saved by opposition goalkeeper Lucas Knight.

Finally, on the stroke of half-time, it fell to McCormack to break the deadlock, crashing in a close-range effort off the crossbar, after Knight parried a headed effort into his path.

SECOND HALF

United came out of the blocks fast after the break, but Stoke managed to get themselves back into the game somewhat against the run of play.

A few minutes after the restart, Ogbebor managed to seize a loose ball and squeeze between two Reds defenders, breaking free and chipping his finish over Heath who had come to try and interrupt the striker's advance.

As Fletcher's side found in the first half, the Potters, with something to defend, proved difficult to break down. It looked like that moment may have come midway through the half when Bailey pressed high and won the ball back, eventually finding Douka Nkoto via Louie Bradbury, but Josh McWilliams got a last-gasp block in on Nkoto's effort, denying a goal.

Gabriel had a penalty shout, and Heath tipped a dangerous McWilliams effort over the bar at the other end, but the game looked destined to end level. That was, until Helafu raced to the byline in the last seconds of added time, cut back inside and found Bradbury in the centre to tuck home the winner, and deliver all three points for United.

MATCH DETAILS

United: Heath; Overy, Mills, Armer, Plunkett (Mpofu 90+3); McCormack, McEvoy (Shah 73); D.Nkoto (Helafu 73), Bailey, Gabriel; Ajayi (Bradbury 58).

Subs not used: Byrne-Hughes.

Booked: Bailey.

Goal: McCormack 45+1, Bradbury 90+4 | Ogbebor 48.