Under-21s: United v Aston Villa

Manchester United Under-21s earned a 2-1 victory in our Premier League 2 clash with Aston Villa at Carrington on Saturday afternoon.

A minute’s applause was observed before kick-off, and the young Reds wore black armbands, to mark the passing of United legend Denis Law.

Sam Mather opened the scoring with the only goal of the first half, directly from a free-kick.

Bradley Burrowes levelled the game for the visitors, before Mather notched the winner from the penalty spot to secure the win for United.

It began a relatively even contest for the first 20 minutes, with both side registering opportunities, but none that asked too many difficult questions of the respective goalkeepers.

That was until United earned a free-kick a short distance outside of the Villans’ penalty area, in a central position, after captain Dan Gore was tripped.

Mather stepped up to take the set-piece and curled his shot away from goalkeeper Lander Emery, with the ball clattering off the inside of the post and into the net to establish United’s lead.

The game slipped back into a familiar rhythm following that goal, meaning the young Reds went in at the interval with a one-goal advantage.

Villa came back out from the break with a fresh impetus and made it count early in the second half, when Jamal Jimoh-Aloba advanced down the left wing, before playing a ball across the six-yard box for striker Burrowes to turn in from close range.

The young Reds fought back, however, and earned a penalty just after the hour mark, when Ethan Wheatley took the ball away from the onrushing Emery, forcing the ‘keeper into a foul.

Mather, scorer of our opener, took responsibility for the spot-kick, driving a powerful finish high into the centre of the net, leaving Emery with little hope of reaching it.

The visitors ended the game with heavy attacking pressure, hoping to find another equaliser, but Travis Binnion’s side stood strong and held out until the referee’s final whistle.

MATCH DETAILS

United: Harrison; Ogunneye, Fredricson, Kukonki (Jackson 79), Murray; Gore (c), Kone (McAllister 79); Sharpe, Moorhouse (Missin 66), Mather (Curley 66); Wheatley.

Subs not used: Wooster.

Goals: Mather 24, 65 (pen).

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