U18's vs, Manchester United (A) 8th Sept - Match Report (friendly)

[Powlay 35]

On a fantastic summers afternoon Middlesbrough travelled to Carrington to face Manchester United at U17 level and U18 level.

 

The U18s had a mix of ages playing, 3rd year scholars Matty Waters and Jarrett Rivers, 2nd years Andre Bennett, Shane Bland, Kieran Weledji, Jordan Jones and Jimmy Warnett. And 1st years Bradley Fewster, Bryn Morris, Priestly ‘side show Bob’ Griffiths and Mark Kitching.

 

Manchester united were straight at the Middlesbrough side from the off, the Manchester United number 7 breaking through and forcing Bland into a low save t his left at the near post. From the resulting corner it was knocked to the edge of the box and the United number 2 struck a curling effort towards Bland’s top corner, the keeper was aware though and managed to scramble across his goal and tip the ball over. Middlesbrough struggled to keep hold of the ball, the home side pressing and forcing errors and bring the pressure straight back onto the Boro back line.

 

When Bland finally was beaten luck was on his side, the Blonde united right winger can struck the ball across the keeper only to see his effort clip the post and go wide for a goal kick.

 

With United piling forward Boro struck on the counter. A long sweeping ball from right to left found Jimmy Warnett streaking away from his man but he pulled his strike into the side netting of the United goal.

 

Madness seemed to descend for a few moments when the United number 11 swore at the referee for not having a decision go his way, the ref would have been within his rights to dismiss the player but was in the view of just about everyone in earshot very lenient giving the player a yellow.

 

Jimmy Warnett followed him into the book moments later when he stupidly kicked the united right back into the air when unable to get the ball off him.

 

United then had one of the best chances of the game, the number 7 was played through and only had Bland to beat, the Boro keeper came quickly off his line and stayed big for as long as possible and saved well with his feet. An almost identical incident two minutes later ended with the ball in the Boro net but the referee brought play back for the united 7 kicking the ball out of Bland’s hands after he saved low down.

 

Boro really struggled to keep the ball, punting clear and more often than not it coming straight back at them in waves of United attacks. But a Boro counter nearly caught United off balance. Bryn Morris played a great ball from the middle to the wide right into the stride of Bradley Fewster, he twisted and turned and found space inside the right of the box but chose to shoot near post instead of across it and had his effort palmed wide for a corner.

From the corner Boro worked it short to Jimmy Warnett who spun and struck the ball goal bound...but the keeper had it covered easily. Kieran Weledji was late into the keeper and received a booking for his poorly timed challenge.

 

Half Time Manchester United 0 Middlesbrough 0

 

The second half was very much the same as the first in the way United piled on the pressure, Shane Bland in the Boro goal though stood strong saving time and time again. Low to his left, his right, tipping balls over the bar and when one did sneak through him he managed to turn quickly and stop it. Boro had a great change as the game drew on a deep cross was met by the flying Warnett but he couldn’t control his header and somehow managed to put it wide with the goal gaping! (Head like a sheriff’s badge was a rather funny call from one of the few Boro followers there!)

 

The game drew on Boro seemed to get more into the game and from a deep cross on the left after a set piece Boro took the lead. The ball was knocked in deep and headed back across goal, defender Weledji was the first to react slamming the ball into the top of the net.

 

GOAL BORO – Weledji 1-0

 

United, clearly upset at going behind despite dominating play went straight back onto the attack and Shane Bland had to save well to his right.

 

Boro Sub – Rivers off, Boagey on.

 

Jordan Jones broke on the counter skipping past his man before driving inside hit a low effort that was saved well by United’s keeper. Boro could have had a penalty in the late moments of the game, Warnett in the box seemed to be ahead of his man who clearly had hold f his waist band, but it was the wrong side for the referee and assistant so you can understand the non decision.

 

Boro Sub - Warnett off, Garrity on.

 

Bland in the Boro goal couldn’t switch off though, in traditional added ‘Ferguson’ time he had to get down low to his left to palm a shot away and with the lest effort of the game United striker skipped past Griffiths and slammed a shot which the Boro keeper got both hands to, parrying it away.

Full time – Manchester United 0 Middlesbrough 1

 

Boro: Bland, Bennett ©, Kitching, Waters, Griffiths, Weledji, Morris, Rivers (Boagey), Fewster, Jones, Warnett (Garrity)

Unised - Montgomery (GK)

 

Thoughts/MOTM

If I said the Boro players were wearing ski masks and had robbed the United team it wouldn’t be too far from the truth. United really could have scored 10 on another day. Many times I’ve seen similar with Boro, being the other side and losing to a sneaky counter attack goal. But today lady luck was on Boro’s side.

 

Bryn Morris had a very good second half moving the ball well and anchoring play. Waters shielded the defence superbly in the first half often dropping so deep as to be a third centre half. Griffiths and Weledji together looked strong.

 

Man of the match, and deservedly so was keeper Shane Bland. He made at least a dozen very good saves, low to each side and flying through the air to tip curling shots over. A fantastic effort as part of a much disciplined Boro side.

[CurtisFleming 86]

Nice report. Thanks again Powlay.