United Youth v Spurs

Mr. MUJAC

United played Tottenham Hotspur at Carrington this morning in an U-18 Friendly.

Federico Macheda had a slight knock and was named on the bench, so Nicky Ajose was drafted into the team who lined up similar to that which faced Bury last Tuesday.

1. Woods
2. Strickland
3. Dudgeon
4. Wooton
5. Gill
6. James - capt
7. Norwood
8. Petrucci
9. Brandao
10. Ajose
11. Stewart

In blustery conditions at Carrington the Reds started the brightest with Brandao alone up front holding the ball up well. Norwood and James were pulling the strings in midfield and United were looking good. Brandao hit the bar with a chip and we also hit the post before Spurs took an undeserved lead. Gary Woods and dived to smother a shot a little earlier in Spurs first attack and then they scored with their second. Woods made a fine save but the Spurs forward knocked in the rebound. But United could and should have been 3/4 goals up but just lacked a bit of composure in front of goal.

0-1 at half-time

The second half was more even and after 58 minutes Paul McGuinness brought on Robert Brady, Chris Curran and Macheda. Shortly later Spurs scored a second when their number 7 ran their through our defence and neatly knocked it past Woods. A very good solo goal.On 68 mins Matty James ran on to a through ball and cleverly bent a shot past the keeper to bring United into the game. Robbie Brady then went on a mazy run and hit the inside of the post as the reds tried hard to force an equaliser. Further substitutions saw Tunnicliffe, Fryers, Cofie and an unknown triallist come on.
Then on 84 mins, Chris Curran chased a ball into the corner, won the race for the ball and beat the fullback on the goalline and crossed for Cofie to score with a strong header. It was good reward for the Reds who didn't deserve to lose the game.

Matty James was excellent in midfield, Gary Woods made three quality saves, Petrucci looked neat and tidy and Joe Dudgeon solid at left-back. Ollie Norwood was creative throughout and hardly gave the ball away all day.

Final score: 2-2 (James, Cofie)

Subs:

12. Curran (10)
13. Devlin
14. Brady (11)
15. Tunnicliffe (2)
16. Fryers (3)
17.
18. Unknown (7)
19. Cofie (8)
20. Macheda (9)

We now play West Ham away next Saturday in our opening Academy fixture.

Decotron

Thanks for that. Looking forward to seeing Bradys progression this season.

Elliott

Cheers, MUJAC.

samabachan

Where's Eikrem these days? Is he playing solely for the reserves or is he injured or something?

Diver

how did petrucci look?

PS18

He's not eligible for the U18's any more.

samabachan

He hasn't been with us two years has he? I thought he was still 17.

Mr. MUJAC

Turned 18 on 8th of August and the cut off is 1st September. He can of course play as an over age player.