Manchester United started their EFL Trophy journey with a win over Stockport County.
This is a great opportunity for youngsters to get more playing time against teams full of senior players. Travis Binnion started with this XI: Harrison, Ogunneye, Kambwala, Aljofree, Nolan, Collyer, Gore, Mejia, Oyedele, Shoretire, Hugill.
Meanwhile, the substitutes: Mee, McNeill, Mather, Jackson, McAllister, Williams & Wheatley.
The first half was quiet as both teams did not have any clear cut chances, although it is worth noting that Daniel Gore was United’s best player on the pitch. The youngster was comfortable in possession and the calmness he shows is incredible.
Stockport had a good chance to go ahead but Elyh Harrison was quite steady, something he showed throughout the match.
Ultimately, though, the first 45 minutes were quite forgettable.
Reinforcing the previous sentence is the fact that Stockport had the first shot on target of this game on the hour mark. From there United finally started to dominate the game.
Willy Kambwala played a great ball into Ethan Williams, who got into the Stockport area easily. However, a slight brush on the back forced him to lose balance and the referee pointed towards the spot. It was a weak shot from Hugill which was saved but the youngster was quick enough to score the rebound. Minutes later, asserting United’s dominance, Williams’ shot hit the crossbar. It would have been a lovely goal.
The fourth official showed that there would be 11 minutes of added time and United were trying to make most of it. It was Shola Shoretire initiating both, first to Charlie McNeill but his effort was just wide. Then a ball on the counter to Ethan Wheatley could have been the end of discussion for the game, but it was a heavy first touch.
In the 11th minute of added time, Elyh Harrison causes a foul and the referee awards a penalty to Stockport. The game now was level and based in the rules, it went to penalties. Charlie McNeill, Shola Shoretire, James Nolan, Ethan Williams and Ethan Wheatley were the five penalty takers for United and they all scored, meanwhile Elyh Harrison saved Rydel’s penalty giving United the right advantage to win the bonus point.
