United u18s Premier League Cup title defence goes down to the wire with penalty shoot-out

Manchester United u18s continued their Premier League Cup defence on Tuesday morning away to West Ham in the quarter-finals.

United got off to a good start when Jim Thwaites’ corner was headed down by Godwill Kukonki and then turned in by Tyler Fletcher from close range to take the lead in just the 10th minute.

It was a tense match throughout with both sides exchanging blows which saw West Ham level up the scoring just before the half time break through Josh Ajala, whose attempt was almost kept out by Will Murdock but the United keeper didn’t get a strong enough hand on it as it rolled over the line inside the post.

A poor start to the second half was a case of deja vu for Adam Lawrence’s side as they conceded within a minute of the restart, having done so at the weekend against Manchester City as well.

On this occasion, West Ham countered quickly down the left wing to centre to Gabriel Caliste for a delicate redirection past Murdock.

United responded just five minutes later though when Tyler Fletcher split the West Ham backline with an eye of the needle through ball to find James Scanlon running through the centre. He took one touch before smashing low past the keeper to draw it level at 2-2.

West Ham then forced a good save from Murdock before United enjoyed a spell of good chances late on.

Thwaites’ free kick smacked off the right post in the 74th minute, just inches away from one of his patented set piece goals.

Fitzgerald was then denied a goal after a scramble on the goal line before having a breakaway which was thwarted by a last ditch tackle. This kept the score at 2-2 when the final whistle of regulation time blew.

With a winner needed, the match moved into extra time where Murdock was called into action to make another good save before Scanlon’s cross-come-shot curled off the right post and out.

Ultimately, neither side could find the breakthrough, sending it to penalties.

United had the go ahead initially with Thwaites, Scanlon, Fitzgerald, and Tyler Fletcher all converting from the spot but misses from Victor Musa and Louie Bradbury gave West Ham the win.

As a result, United drop out of the Premier League Cup but continue their battle for the league title and in the FA Youth Cup, where they meet Chelsea next week.

United: Murdock, Kamason, Mills (Armer 90), Munro (c), Kukonki (Plunkett 90), T. Fletcher, Fitzgerald, Scanlon, Thwaites, Bailey (Bradbury 99), Musa

Unused subs: Byrne-Hughes, Shah

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