A makeshift Manchester United Under-16s secured a 1-0 victory over the St Johnstone Academy on Friday evening, in front of an impressive 1,057 strong crowd.
Portuguese youngster Angel Gomes proved to be the difference with his first-time strike, but the 14-year-old couldn’t earn his side an early lead.
In United’s third visit to Perth – following Alan Main’s testimonial in 2010, and the famous opening of McDiarmid Park back in 1989 – Gomes earned the first real opportunity of the fixture after being bought to ground in the Saints box just two minutes into play. With Cameron Lumsden hastily challenging Gomes, the referee immediately pointed to the spot.
With the central midfielder, who can also feature as a striker, stepping up to take the penalty, he could only watch on as a trialist goalkeeper saved his set-piece, making an immediate impression for the on looking St Johnstone staff.
The hosts almost earned a shock lead with 10 minutes on the clock, as Paul Simpson did well to find James Docherty, who was unfortunate to not beat Oliver Byrne in a promising one-on-one situation.
However, the Red Devils finally opened the scoring shortly after the half hour mark, with Gomes finding spell into the box to slot home into the bottom right hand corner. Having been tipped by Nani as a future Manchester hero back in January, Gomes has continued to impress when playing against opponents considerably older.
The Saints did well to stay strong at their back, and their resilience almost allowed Docherty a second chance. Despite a firm connection from the youthful striker, Byrne was able to coolly collect his effort in between the sticks.
Simpson enjoyed a dominant performance, and being awarded Man of the Match, came close to scoring what would have become a goal of the season nomination. After being two players consecutive with dazzling footwork, Simpson’s effort soared over the crossbar and into the crowd as he watched in despair.
Gomes, the dangerman for United throughout the ninety minutes, then looked to double his personal tally, with an early second-half free-kick whistling past the post. Despite boasting the talents of Jake Kenyon, Faustin Makela and Kayne Diederick-Roberts in their starting XI, the Reds struggled to test the hosts too often.
Dundee United trialist Kieran Freeman, who represented the visitors in the clash, would have expectedly liked to see more of the action, when starting in the defensive line. St Johnstone’s Euan O’Reilly put the defender under pressure when bursting through on goal at speed, but managed to put him off balance and slice his effort wide.
The friendly bought a warm round of applause around the stadium with the final whistle, in a game which did the hosts proud, and will fill the visitors with confidence following another victory.
Manchester United: Bryne, Freeman, Thomson, Barrett, Dunne, Barlow, Makela, Wheelan, Roberts, Gomes, Kenyon.
Subs: Boonen, Tanner, Butterworth, Dunne, Montiero.
Comments.
Loading comments…