Manchester United u21s took on Brighton & Hove Albion at their training ground on Sunday in Premier League 2 action.
United made the perfect start to the match when Dan Gore was brought down in the box by Joe Knight to earn the young reds a penalty.
Sam Mather stepped up to the spot with composure and slotted the ball into the net for his sixth goal in the league this campaign.
Travis Binnion’s side controlled the proceedings for much of the first half, pushing Brighton back into their own half.
But despite being on the front foot, United were unable to extend their lead with Gore, Jack Moorhouse, and Chido Obi all having efforts on goal.
Up the other of the pitch, Brighton found their openings aerially with Harry Howell and Ruairi McConville having chances to equalise, but both were denied by Elyh Harrison.
Into the second half, Obi looked the most likely to extend United’s lead, first forcing a big save from Killian Cahill before striking the post late on.
United had to remain resolute at the back until the final whistle with just 10 men though as Louis Jackson picked up his second yellow card in the 88th minute.
They held out, Habeeb Ogunneye cleared off the line in the dying moments to ensure victory.
Assistant coach David Hughes was impressed with the performance saying after the match “the latter stages of the game showed the resilience we had.”
“We were under pressure and saw it through. That’s a really good learning opportunity, having a man sent off and having to adapt and see it out for the three points.”
The win makes it four in a row for United in the league which has seen them climb up the table into fourth place, level on points with Brighton in third.
Binnion’s side now look toward the National League Cup on Wednesday where they will take on Oldham Athletic in the final group stage match. United currently lead the group and need just a draw to guarantee their place in the knockout stages.
United: Harrison, Ogunneye, Fredricson, Jackson, Amass, Kone (McAllister 68), Gore, Sharpe (Scanlon 86), Moorhouse (Curley 68), Mather (Murray 90), Obi
Unused subs: Myles
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Colm Murphy
A football obsessed Canadian who moved to England to enjoy the beautiful game. Colm has been keen follower of Manchester United’s famed academy since seeing a fresh faced Adnan Januzaj for the club’s u18s and has been writing about football with a focus on youth development for over 10 years.
