Manchester United U18 2-1 Sunderland U18
safc.com’s Sam Lightle reviews the action from Manchester as Sunderland continued their U18 Premier League campaign.
THE WRAP
Sunderland under-18s gave it as good as they had on Saturday but fell to a narrow defeat at a damp Carrington. Benji Kimpioka maintained his rich vein of form, scoring inside 24 minutes to stun the hosts in their own back yard. United fought their way back though, and second-half goals from Aiden Barlow and Mason Greenwood sealed all three points from the hosts, leaving Sunderland 10th.
MUMBA!
Fifthteen-year-old Bali Mumba caught the eye on the teamsheet as he made his second start for the under-18s. Mumba, a bright prospect at the Academy of Light, started in midfield alongside Jordan Hickey and Jake Hackett, while under-16s starlet Sam Greenwood featured on the bench. Lee Connelly missed the trip to United through injury.
HARD TO BEAT
Mark Atkinson left the Academy of Light last Saturday beaming from ear to ear. His side had produced an impressive display, dismantling Blackburn Rovers to climb the league. And this weekend the message was simple – be hard to beat. Sunderland made strong inroads in the opening exchanges, limiting the hosts to few chances and controlling the bulk of possession. The Black Cats’ effort came to fruition with just under 25 minutes played, when Mumba and Kimpioka combine. A scintillating move saw United left chasing shadows, Kimpioka fed off Mumba’s one-two, with the latter unselfishly reversing the ball back into path for a close-range finish.
FLYING HIGH
It was a well-worked goal. Sunderland deservedly in front, with United stunned. After scoring a second-half hat-trick in midweek, Kimpioka wasted no time getting among the goals again to score his sixth goal in four games. And that’s the way it remained until the midway interval, with United frustrated as they continue to draw blanks in front of goal.
ALL CHANGE
The hosts came on strong in the second 45 but at first, that suited the Black Cats as the lightning pace of Kimpioka and Jack Diamond always provided a threat, carefully biding their time to break out. But with 64 minutes on the clock, it was all squad. Nishan Burkat’s clever pass picked out Barlow at the back post and he finished with real authority. United looked strong, galvanised by Barlow’s leveller. Shortly after, United turned the match completely on its head. Greenwood capped off a strong performance from the hosts, netting a low strike after being slipped through by Ethan Laird. While Sunderland lost their lead, their efforts continued to be expressed as they searched for an equaliser, Kimpioka went close to adding to his increasing goal tally before Tom Howard’s cross wasn’t dealt with by the hosts. Sunderland impressed but came up just short in Manchester.
Manchester Utd U18s: Fojticek, Laird (Mengi, 83), Dunne, Barrett, B Williams, O’Connor (Garner, 33), McGhee (Mellor, 46), Levitt, Barlow, Greenwood; Burkart
Sunderland U18s: Patterson, Evans (Dunne, 80), Young, Derbali, Kokola, Hackett (Howard, 65), Hickey, Mumba, Best, Kimpioka, Diamond (Greenwood, 60)
Subs: Woud, Scothern