U18s: United vs Reading

[top1whoisman]

After two very convincing wins in the U18 PL, it's time for our Premier League Cup opener against Reading. Wolves and Southampton are the other two teams in the group.

Saturday 2 September at 11:00 BST, live on MUTV.

 

[top1whoisman]

Amass makes his United debut, Tyler Fletcher has the chance to do the same from the bench. Happy to see Curley & Sharpe back.

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[Gungerz]

Pretty much a fully fit squad now with Sharpe back. Think only Kamason (who went off last week) and Berry are out.

 

[top1whoisman]

Pretty much a fully fit squad now with Sharpe back. Think only Kamason (who went off last week) and Berry are out.

Hope it stays that way, although I guess you can’t really avoid some type of injury crisis towards the end of the season in youth football. Not sure why Fitzgerald isn’t involved. Then again a fit squad means rotation. Fortunately we’ve got at least six UYL games to come.

 

[top1whoisman]

Good to see us trying different formations. Lacey and Missin have more defensive responsibilities in this 442 with both Biancheri and Wheatley playing higher up.

 

[top1whoisman]

6’

The visitors keep the pressure in the United box after their corner and a free header goes just wide of the post.

 

[top1whoisman]

A minute later Missin drives forward with the ball again and Wheatley has an effort from a tight angle but it goes wide as well.

 

[top1whoisman]

9’

Missin has had a brilliant start. Cuts inside into the box again and hands it on a plate to Wheatley again who has an empty net ahead of him but somehow a Reading defender slides in and clears it off the line.

 

[Santos J]

What a block that was from the Reading defender

 

[top1whoisman]

15’

Almost 1-0 United but the offside flag saves Reading. A crazy whip of a free kick from Lacey and a United player (missed it) directs it in, but it’s ruled out.

 

[top1whoisman]

16’

The Reading keeper makes a great save but Wheatley should’ve finished that. His header from a couple of meters goes straight at the keeper.

 

[top1whoisman]

The U21s are about to go train but currently in attendance.

 

[top1whoisman]

19’

Finally Wheatley scores, 1-0!

 

[Thiagoal]

Wheatley with a cracker! If it actually went in

 

[top1whoisman]

The most difficult of his chances so far but a nice drilled shot from outside the box hits the post and goes in.

 

[top1whoisman]

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[top1whoisman]

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Good forward pass from Munro.

 

[AltiUn]

Reading quite unlucky not to score there, they worked that move well.

 

[top1whoisman]

25’

Reading close to an equaliser. Amass with a good piece of defending but the second effort goes just wide.

 

[top1whoisman]

27’

Our left hand side works well again. Amass controls Myles’ pass brilliantly and releases Missin onge again. Cutback to Curley whose curly (hehe) effort spins just outside of the top corner.

 

[top1whoisman]

28’

Wheatley clears the ball off the line after Myles misjudges a cross.

 

[top1whoisman]

29’

Myles tips over a decent header from a corner.

 

[top1whoisman]

Half an hour played and we’ve been the better side on the ball, as expected. However the visitors are very much a threat from every single set piece. Good challenge for our defense.

 

[top1whoisman]

33’

Wheatley’s fourth good chance. Biancheri presses the Reading defense and Wheatley’s away. Does everything right but again someone gets a foot to the ball just as it’s about to go in.

 

[top1whoisman]

35’

Baumann booked.

 

[top1whoisman]

41’

Card for McAllister.

 

[top1whoisman]

Not the greatest of halves for Lacey. A bit like MG at the same level, a lot of room for improvement when it comes to decision-making. Pretty much the norm though in U18s football.

 

[top1whoisman]

45’

Decent save from Myles after the Reading midfielder tries his luck from long range.

 

[lysglimt]

Really been impressed by Amass...he could be something special

 

[Remember the geese]

Really been impressed by Amass...he could be something special

Agreed. Obvious comparison to make but he reminds me of Shaw.

 

[top1whoisman]

FT 1-0

United dominated the possession and it should be more than 1-0.

Despite missing a few chances Wheatley has been good. Looks like the Otten Cup goals and playing in the U21s has improved his confidence and he’s much more involved in the game compared to last year.

Missin United’s best player so far, perhaps his best half in the U18s. McAllister very good again and Amass had a decent first 45 minutes in a United shirt too. Technically very good and uses his body well to gain space. Composed on the ball.

 

[top1whoisman]

Amass & Curley off
Musa & Devaney on

 

[top1whoisman]

Missin moves to the right hand side, Musa LB, Lacey 10, Devaney CM. Biancheri LW. I think.

 

[AltiUn]

Have Reading brought their own lino?

 

[top1whoisman]

51’

Lacey almost with a trademark goal dribbling inside from the right side. Shot deflected over the bar.

 

[top1whoisman]

Have Reading brought their own lino?

Haha

 

[top1whoisman]

53’

Very good defending on the far post by Musa. Nudged header to deny a good chance.

 

[AltiUn]

Wheatley's hold up play has improved tenfold.

 

[top1whoisman]

Reading’s first longer (1 minute) period of possession for a while.

 

[top1whoisman]

Wheatley's hold up play has improved tenfold.

It definitely has. Playing with confidence and using his length and strength well.