U21s match summary: Blackburn v United

Both teams had gone close to opening the scoring in the opening 10 minutes, before an impressive stop from Dermot Mee kept out a shot from Rovers forward Exauce Mafoumbi, which looked to be creeping inside the United goalkeeper's right-hand post.

The save kept the scores level, and with the next opportunity of the first half, the young Reds nudged ahead at the other end. From back to front in an instant, Jack Kingdon's searching ball forward sent Malachi Sharpe racing down the right wing, and it was his cross from the byline that was brilliantly steered home by the head of Ethan Ennis from close range.

A low strike from Sam Mather and Tyler Fredricson's aerial connection with a corner threatened to double our advantage, but the nearest Travis Binnion's team came to a second goal in the first half was via Sharpe, who had a dangerous attempt tipped on to the post by the hosts' shot-stopper Joe Hilton.

At 1-0, United were the happier of the two sides going into the interval, but an imposing start to the second half from Blackburn ensured that level terms were restored by the 52nd minute. Matty Litherland brought the hosts forward from a deep area, before shifting the ball onto Igor Tyjon inside the 18-yard box, who steered it into the net as he swivelled to open up a shooting angle.

Rovers keeper Hilton got down well to his right to deny Ruben Curley from reinstating our advantage just before the hour mark, but the young Reds did edge back in front via Sam Mather's left boot in the 78th minute. The winger got his reward for a bright performance with a powerful strike into the back of the net, after manouvering his way into the box from the left flank.

It was from that side of the pitch that Binnion's team also crafted out our third goal, which sealed the victory in the 83rd minute. Jack Fletcher, who assisted Mather's effort, was provider again after Ennis found his underlapping run. Fletcher squared for Gabriele Biancheri to convert, with his first touch, moments after coming on as a substitute.

Late pressure from the home side meant United had to stay alert right up until the last kick, but stay alert our players did to record a second Premier League 2 win in three games this season, following last week's victory at home to Stoke.

MATCH DETAILS

United: Mee; Ogunneye (Kamason 90+3), Kingdon (Jackson 90+3), Fredricson (c), Rowe; McAllister (Devaney 71), Curley; Sharpe, Fletcher, Mather (Biancheri 82); Ennis.

Unused sub: Graczyk.

Booked: Fredricson, McAllister.

Goals: Ennis 12, Mather 78, Biancheri 83.