United U18s frustrated by stubborn Derby
Manchester United’s Under-18s were unfortunate not to get at least a share of the spoils in going down 2-1 to Derby County on Saturday afternoon.
Charlie Wellens scored the Reds' goal in the first half’s added time, but it wasn’t to be enough to overcome the Rams who prevailed with centre-forward Jack Stretton finding the net early in each period.
United’s juniors were returning to league action after a three-week break since the 1-0 away win over Blackburn Rovers, and were looking for our first home league victory since August.
United’s juniors were returning to league action after a three-week break since the 1-0 away win over Blackburn Rovers, and were looking for our first home league victory since August.
All hopes of putting in a challenge for the Under-18 Premier League North title evaporated some time ago but the lads’ FA Youth Cup campaign is still very much alive and kicking, with a place in the semi-final being the reward for a victory over Wigan Athletic at Old Trafford next Friday evening. This fixture against the always talented and combative Rams represented the perfect preparation for that upcoming Greater Manchester derby.
The conditions at the Aon Training Complex were, as expected, blustery but thankfully there was none of the almost ever-present rain of recent weeks as the game commenced. Nevertheless, the trifle chilly temperature alone must have come have as a sharp return to reality for the players who’d been in Portugal for warm-weather training.
The game took a while to catch fire with the visitors arguably having the better of the opening exchanges. Chances were at a premium until the 11th minute when Derby produced a fine move which resulted in the game’s opening goal, set up by Tyree Wilson and scored by striker Jack Stretton.
The conditions at the Aon Training Complex were, as expected, blustery but thankfully there was none of the almost ever-present rain of recent weeks as the game commenced. Nevertheless, the trifle chilly temperature alone must have come have as a sharp return to reality for the players who’d been in Portugal for warm-weather training.
The game took a while to catch fire with the visitors arguably having the better of the opening exchanges. Chances were at a premium until the 11th minute when Derby produced a fine move which resulted in the game’s opening goal, set up by Tyree Wilson and scored by striker Jack Stretton.
The same player could have doubled his output a few minutes later when he was one-on-one with United ‘keeper Ondrej Mastny but his shot failed to reach its intended destination. Derby had further opportunities to add to their tally but they weren’t having it all their way as the Reds began to have more of an input regards attacking frequency.
As time wore on, it seemed that the Reds were going to have to delay the search for an equaliser until after the break. But then, in the second minute of added time, a terrific move involving four players saw United find the net.
Martin Svidersky started the sequence of passes which was continued by Reece Devine and then Ayodeji Sotona, whose pin-point ball across the area invited Charlie Wellens to hit the leveller, which he accepted with a confident finish.
As time wore on, it seemed that the Reds were going to have to delay the search for an equaliser until after the break. But then, in the second minute of added time, a terrific move involving four players saw United find the net.
Martin Svidersky started the sequence of passes which was continued by Reece Devine and then Ayodeji Sotona, whose pin-point ball across the area invited Charlie Wellens to hit the leveller, which he accepted with a confident finish.
Parity proved to be short-lived as in the 56th minute the Rams regained the upper hand when the same combination of Wilson and Stretton that had brought their first goal repeated the process.
United proceeded to improve as the game continued but despite several scoring chances being made, the young Reds just couldn’t replicate the rescue act of the first half.
Sotona, who went close on several occasions to getting his name on the scoresheet, finally forced the ball past the Rams’ goalkeeper Bradley Foster seven minutes from time. However, the referee, Daniel Bruce, had already whistled for an infringement, much to the United forward’s frustration.
United proceeded to improve as the game continued but despite several scoring chances being made, the young Reds just couldn’t replicate the rescue act of the first half.
Sotona, who went close on several occasions to getting his name on the scoresheet, finally forced the ball past the Rams’ goalkeeper Bradley Foster seven minutes from time. However, the referee, Daniel Bruce, had already whistled for an infringement, much to the United forward’s frustration.
MATCH DETAILS
United: Mastny; Neville (Shoretire 86), Hockenhull, Hardley, Devine; Svidersky, Mejbri, Devine (Hughes 62); Wellens, Sotona, Stanley (Forson 66).
Substitutes not used: Mee, Haygarth.
Goals: United – Wellens 45+2 | Derby – Stretton 11, 56.
Reading this in our app? If not, you might miss some exclusive features not found on ManUtd.com. Download the Official App here.
United: Mastny; Neville (Shoretire 86), Hockenhull, Hardley, Devine; Svidersky, Mejbri, Devine (Hughes 62); Wellens, Sotona, Stanley (Forson 66).
Substitutes not used: Mee, Haygarth.
Goals: United – Wellens 45+2 | Derby – Stretton 11, 56.
Reading this in our app? If not, you might miss some exclusive features not found on ManUtd.com. Download the Official App here.
Back to Top