Reds' Under-18s win a thriller on Tyneside
Manchester United Under-18s staged a quite remarkable fightback on Saturday to claim a first league win in four fixtures, beating Newcastle United 5-2.
Trailing 2-0 until shortly before half-time, Neil Ryan's Reds then scored five goals without reply – through Dillon Hoogewerf (2), Anthony Elanga (2) and Will Fish – to claim a memorable success on Tyneside.
First-team manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer will most definitely be hoping that this terrific result is an omen, ahead of the Premier League clash between the same clubs on Sunday.
First-team manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer will most definitely be hoping that this terrific result is an omen, ahead of the Premier League clash between the same clubs on Sunday.
The Academy teams of Newcastle United and Manchester United were providing the hors d’oeuvre to the main course at St James’ Park tomorrow and it turned out to be a tasty treat for the supporters attending the Newcastle Training Centre in Benton or watching MUTV's live coverage.
United started the game positively, as we looked to arrest a sequence of four games without a win, and it was an encouraging opening fifteen minutes or so as the Reds bossed the match territorially.
United started the game positively, as we looked to arrest a sequence of four games without a win, and it was an encouraging opening fifteen minutes or so as the Reds bossed the match territorially.
The visitors went close to opening the scoring when Fish latched on to a Hannibal Mejbri through ball but the Reds defender was foiled by a Magpies counterpart in Jude Swales. In going for goal, Fish’s momentum saw him clatter into Swales and as a result, he was shown a yellow card while the Newcastle centre-back was forced to leave the field injured, to be replaced by Lewis Brannen.
The home side slowly, but surely, began to ease their way into the proceedings with both Dylan Stephenson and Josh Gilchrist trying their luck in front of goal. Then, in the 18th minute, the Magpies confirmed their ascendancy when Gilchrist fired past Ondrej Mastny to put his side into the lead.
The Magpies certainly had their tails up and fourteen minutes later they were flying high, after Stephenson had put them two-up. Suddenly it was a long way back for the Reds but help was forthcoming when, in the 38th minute, Reece Devine lofted in a cross from the left and an unchallenged Hoogewerf headed home from close range.
The home side slowly, but surely, began to ease their way into the proceedings with both Dylan Stephenson and Josh Gilchrist trying their luck in front of goal. Then, in the 18th minute, the Magpies confirmed their ascendancy when Gilchrist fired past Ondrej Mastny to put his side into the lead.
The Magpies certainly had their tails up and fourteen minutes later they were flying high, after Stephenson had put them two-up. Suddenly it was a long way back for the Reds but help was forthcoming when, in the 38th minute, Reece Devine lofted in a cross from the left and an unchallenged Hoogewerf headed home from close range.
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The goal recharged the visitors' batteries and for the next few minutes it was the home side’s turn to defend as Neil Ryan's players piled forward looking for the equaliser. Elanga was instrumental in the assault on the Newcastle goal and more than once he appeared capable of sending his side in at the break on level terms.
The outcome of this match was already too close to call and this was especially true when the Reds claimed the equaliser just nine minutes into the second half.
It was through the same combination, Devine and Hoogewerf, and a virtual re-run of the first goal which levelled the score, only this time Devine’s ball into the area was tapped home along the ground by the Dutch youngster who again was virtually unhindered in his task.
The outcome of this match was already too close to call and this was especially true when the Reds claimed the equaliser just nine minutes into the second half.
It was through the same combination, Devine and Hoogewerf, and a virtual re-run of the first goal which levelled the score, only this time Devine’s ball into the area was tapped home along the ground by the Dutch youngster who again was virtually unhindered in his task.
Mark Helm picked up an injury and was forced to leave the field, in the 54th minute, to be replaced by Deji Sotona, who almost scored with his first touch but his shot was stopped on the line.
Then, with less than twenty minutes remaining, the Reds hit Newcastle with an incredible three-goal salvo in the space of three minutes.
Fish’s towering header put his team in front for the first time, in the 72nd minute, and then a double blast from Elanga, the second a blistering drive from outside the penalty area, succeeded in putting this game well and truly out of the Magpies’ reach.
Then, with less than twenty minutes remaining, the Reds hit Newcastle with an incredible three-goal salvo in the space of three minutes.
Fish’s towering header put his team in front for the first time, in the 72nd minute, and then a double blast from Elanga, the second a blistering drive from outside the penalty area, succeeded in putting this game well and truly out of the Magpies’ reach.
MATCH DETAILS
Manchester United: Mastny; Neville, Fish, Hockenhull, Devine; McCann, Mejbri (Forson 88), Wellens; Helm (Sotona 68), Hoogewerf (Shortire 86), Elanga.
Substitutes not used: Hardley, Guadagno.
Scorers: Newcastle United - Gilchrist 18, Stephenson 32. Manchester United - Hoogewerf 38, 54, Fish 72, Elanga 74, 75.
Manchester United: Mastny; Neville, Fish, Hockenhull, Devine; McCann, Mejbri (Forson 88), Wellens; Helm (Sotona 68), Hoogewerf (Shortire 86), Elanga.
Substitutes not used: Hardley, Guadagno.
Scorers: Newcastle United - Gilchrist 18, Stephenson 32. Manchester United - Hoogewerf 38, 54, Fish 72, Elanga 74, 75.
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