Manchester Senior Cup against Stockport

[oskarutd]

Smith bids for fitness

Alan Smith will start his third Reserves game of the season against Stockport County on Tuesday night.

Smith completed 90 minutes of action against Blackburn last Thursday and showed no adverse reaction, and will partner Aaron Burns in attack at Edgley Park. If the striker emerges unscathed from the Manchester Senior Cup clash, then he could potentially figure in Saturday's first team squad against Spurs.

The Reds begin their defence of the Senior Cup with several changes to the side that started the league season with a 1-0 win over Blackburn. Tom Heaton replaces Tomasz Kuszczak in goal, behind a back four of Kieran Lee, Danny Rose, Ryan Shawcross and Ritchie Jones. Floribert Ngalula makes his first start in exactly 11 months after missing the majority of last season with a serious hip injury.

The Belgian partners David Jones in the centre of midfield, with Sean Evans and Michael Barnes prowling on the wings. Burns' inclusion upfront sees Phil Marsh drop onto the bench, alongside Ron-Robert Zieler, Michael Lea and Craig Cathcart.

All proceeds from Tuesday night's game will be donated to the Stockport County Disabled Supporters Club for a new minibus. The game kicks off at 7:00pm and tickets are £4 for adults and £2 for all concessions.

United: Heaton, Lee, Rose, Shawcross, R Jones, D Jones, Barnes, Ngalula, Smith, Burns, Evans.
Subs from: Marsh, Zieler, Lea, Cathcart.

source:manutd.com

 

[red thru&thru]

so happy to see Ngalula back.

if he had not had his injury i think he would have been pushing for a first team place. hopefully he will re-capture his form

 

[BezsMaracas]

Wouldn't it make more sense to have Ngalula playing at the back with Jones in midfield and Danny Rose at fullback? Or maybe thats just me.

Good to see him back anyway.

 

[oskarutd]

Wouldn't it make more sense to have Ngalula playing at the back with Jones in midfield and Danny Rose at fullback? Or maybe thats just me.

Good to see him back anyway.

N´Galula is a defensive midfielder, but capable of playing center back, so can Richie Jones. Rose will be playing left fullback.

 

[Elliott]

so happy to see Ngalula back.

if he had not had his injury i think he would have been pushing for a first team place. hopefully he will re-capture his form

from what i've seen, n'galula doesn't have what it takes. but good to have him back

 

[dan_alex]

from what i've seen, n'galula doesn't have what it takes. but good to have him back

I've only seen N'galula play a full reserve match once about a year and a half ago, but he was absolutely outstanding in it, playing in midfield, the best player on the pitch by far. What makes you think he won't make it?

 

[Mr. MUJAC]

Reserves lose on penalties!

On a warm balmy evening, United lost 0-3 on penalties to Stockport after the game finished 1-1 at the end of normal time. Stockport made the early running and had a couple of chances in the first ten minutes but gradually the United midfield started to dominate with David and Richard Jones taking control. David Jones in particular was again dominating the game with a wide range of passing and could have opened the scoring on half an hour after good up play with Smith. Five minutes later United took the lead, Smith playing in Burns who shot low into the net from about eight yards out. With five minutes of the first half remaining both Smith and Sean Evans missed excellent opportunities to score with only the keeper to beat.....Smith dallied and was tackled while Evans blasted the ball over the bar. On the stroke of half-time N'Galula, who had been solid in defence alongside Shawcross, took a knock and went off for treatment.

Half time: Stockport County 0 Manchester United 1

In the second half Cathcart replaced N'Galula from the restart and both teams had chances to score. Richard Jones was particularly wasteful in midfield and had a relatively poor game. Michael Barnes played well, beat his man on numerous occasions and I lost count of how many great crosses he whipped into the box, using both left and right feet to confuse the defenders. However, he could have got better service. Up front we looked very poor. Aaron Burns was not at the races, despite his well taken goal and it was the worst performance I have ever seen by Alan Smith. He looked totally disinterested, did not work to win the ball and jogged around most of the time. A complete contrast to his last reserve team display and tonight he was a waste of space. On 75 mins, Phil Marsh replaced Burns and settled into a forward midfield position. With five minutes to go the inevitable happened and County scored an equaliser. To be fair they had put United under pressure during the last fifteen minutes.......but United had so many chances to win the game but couldn't take them. David Jones hit a scorcher from 35 yards in the last few seconds that crashed against the crossbar before the ref blew for full time....

Penalties!

United went first and David Jones had a well struck shot well saved by the keeper, County scored their first 0-1. Danny Rose, who was easily United's Man of the Match, took United's second and the County keeper pulled off another fine save. They scored with their second spot-kick to make it 0-2. Smith took the third kick...his body language was all wrong and he put it wide. County had their third penalty well saved by Tommy Heaton ....still 0-2. But after Richard Jones tamely shot at the keeper...most United fans knew the game was lost. County scored with their fourth kick to win 3-0.

It was terrible to lose a game that we dominated so much. All four penalties were so poor.....Smith and R. Jones particularly....

Let's hope for better fortune next time around.

Team: Heaton, Lee, Rose, Shawcross, R. Jones, D. Jones, Barnes, N'Galula, Smith, Burns, S. Evans

Subs: Marsh (10), Zieler, Lea, Cathcart (8)

Scorer: Burns

 

[oskarutd]

from manutd.com

Reserves: Stockport 1 Utd 1

United missed four times in a penalty shoot-out as they slipped to defeat in their opening Manchester Senior Cup tie.

Brian McClair's side were unfortunate not to win in normal time, having led through Aaron Burns' first-half strike until the 85th minute.

United enjoyed the majority of possession throughout the match, with Smith heavily involved in the majority of their promising attacks.

The England striker looked lively in tandem with Burns, and completed 90 minutes for the second time in five days.

It was Smith who almost opened the scoring inside a minute, drawing a good reaction save from County keeper Tim Deasy.

His heroics were bettered by United counterpart Tom Heaton shortly afterwards as the Reds stopper turned Adam Le Fondre's close-range header over the bar.

Smith set up David Jones inside the box, only for the midfielder to drag his shot wide, before Burns opened the scoring five minutes before the interval.

The strike duo linked up well before Burns fired expertly past Deasy to give United the lead their possession deserved.

For all their promising play in the first 45, United failed to match their exertions in the second period, and County came more into the game.

Twice Heaton was called upon to make fine saves, before the hosts drew level on 85 minutes through Chris Coward's low shot.

David Jones hit the top of the crossbar a minute before the final whistle but, without extra time, penalties were to determine the winner.

Deasy emerged as the hero for County, turning away kicks from David Jones, Danny Rose and Ritchie Jones, while Smith hit his effort wide of the target.

Although Heaton made a fine save from Damien Allen with County 2-0 ahead, successful penalties from Coward and Mark Robinson gave the hosts the win.

United: Heaton, Lee, Rose, Shawcross, R Jones, D Jones, Barnes, Ngalula, Smith, Burns, Evans.
Substitutes: Marsh, Zieler, Lea, Cathcart.

Iteresting to read what was said about Smiths performance, I believe that TonyParks version must be closer to the truth.