Manchester United U18s finally started their FA Youth Cup campaign this Sunday afternoon against Crystal Palace U18s.
It was deemed a difficult match considering the opponent. A section of the team still eligible to play in the competition were away with the first team in Spain. However, the team fielded by the coach was a strong one.
United started with this XI: Harrison, Jackson, Fredricson, Aljofree, Nolan, Oyedele, Gore, Williams, Mather, Musa, Norkett. Substitutions: Wooster, Fitzgerald, Berry, Moorhouse, Lacey, Wheatley.
Manchester United showed their intentions from the start as Oyedele put the ball in the back of the net after Norkett and Williams failed to do so having their shots blocked.
Palace tried to bounce back almost immediately, however, Harrison was prepared for everything coming his way. United on the counter were unstoppable as Norkett’s run could not be matched and the ball falls into his feet perfectly and he scores past the keeper. Palace were not giving up easily but they were not making much of the efforts just yet. Daniel Gore and Williams had back to back chances for United, however the keeper was steady.
A few moments later, it is Palace on top of the game as Harrison was commanding the zone as it was the home team having three clear cut chances in the space of some short minutes. Musa had been lively in the first half and he plays a bullet header into the corner, which the goalkeeper not only saved but also stopped it from bouncing and giving a chance to get a second chance to score. As the end of the first half was approaching, United were comfortably leading 2-0.
Pitch and areal conditions somehow got worse in the second half as there were already misty conditions in the first half. Palace managed to do well enough and bounce back at the game. Musa, on the other hand, has a chance to get a third goal for United but as he leaned back his shot was well over the bar.
United, looking for a third goal, were leaving space behind giving Crystal Palace enough freedom to roam around the danger zone. However, it was United who made their chances count and it was Sam Mather showing brilliance in this competition yet again.
Moorhouse’s pass cut inside a defender and Mather smashed it in the top corner making it 3-1 for United after the hour mark and eased things after Palace’s goal. It was Gore yet again trying to get another goal for United but his effort hit the crossbar.
In the end, the final score was 3-1 in United’s favour and they move forward in the next round of the FA Youth Cup. It was a well fought game in a not so welcoming weather at Selhurst Park
