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Manchester United u21s started off the inaugural National League Cup with an away trip to Forest Green Rovers.
The home side, who are currently in second place in the National League, fielded a number of experienced players, including 32 year old Christian Doidge, who is their top goalscorer in the league.
The quality of Doidge was an eye opener for United’s young stars as the experienced striker opened the scoring in just the third minute. Doidge’s pressure on Finley McAllister caused the United man to cough up possession and then Doidge ran into the box to finish expertly from a tight angle.
Despite the shaky start, United regained their composure and soon took control of the match, pinning Forest Green back into their half.
While the first string of attacks from United struggled to threaten Forest Green, a quick counter attack just before the half hour mark dealt the lethal blow they were looking for to level the score.
Malachi Sharpe picked up the ball in the United half before charging up field and setting Ethan Ennis free down the right wing. Continuing his run into the box, Sharpe received the return cross from Ennis to finish at the near post.
Just four minutes later United took the lead with the move originating from the right wing again. After moving the ball around well, the move finished with Habeeb Ogunneye picking out Ethan Ennis in a central area to smash the ball into the roof of the net.
It wasn’t all smooth sailing for Travis Binnion’s side though, as Forest Green hit back just two minutes later. After not taking advantage of a few opportunities to stick a foot in and clear, the ball was laid back to Harvey Bunker arriving late in the box to volley into the ground and deflect off of Jack Kingdon and into the goal.
Remaining 2-2 at the break, United came close to restoring their lead early after the restart with Zach Baumann somehow putting the ball wide from just 10 yards out.
Continuing to control much of the second half, it was a trio of substitutes who would give United the lead in the 77th minute.
Seconds after entering the field, Godwill Kukonki cleared Forest Green’s corner at the near post to Ethan Williams, who drove up the field and switched the play to Victor Musa to run in behind. Running through on goal, Musa calmly slowed the play down to open his body and curl past the keeper on his left boot.
The goal was enough to secure the win for United and earn them three points to open the National League Cup.
United: Mee, Ogunneye (Fredricson 63), Jackson, Kingdon, Rowe, McAllister (Moorhouse 68), Gore (Kukonki 76), Sharpe, Baumann, Mather (Williams 68), Ennis (Musa 68)
Unused subs: Graczyk, Mantato
Featured image Ian MacNicol via Getty Images
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