AcademyU18s match report: Manchester United 4-3 Liverpool

Trent Kone-Doherty’s 10th goal of the season and an excellent Kieran Morrison strike gave the Reds a half-time lead, sandwiching a response from Ethan Wheatley.

But a United surge in the second period at the Carrington Training Complex secured the points, with Jayce Fitzgerald, Ethan Williams and James Scanlon each on the scoresheet, rendering Michael Laffey’s finish deep into stoppage time a consolation.

The hosts had several half-chances as they asserted during the earliest minutes, while Kone-Doherty’s attempt to cut inside and shoot was blocked out after Morrison’s raking pass in behind.

Kone-Doherty was unstoppable soon after, though.

A crisp exchange of passes with Nathan Giblin on the touchline allowed the winger to break away along the left flank and he moved infield to sweep a precise finish into the far corner.

Marc Bridge-Wilkinson’s side were inches away from making it 2-0 when Cody Pennington’s effort from 30-plus yards – with the home goalkeeper well off his line – dropped wide of the left post.

Back came United, however, and Louis Jackson glanced a header wide having leapt powerfully to meet a corner kick from the left-hand side.

The hosts got their leveller in minute 21. Liverpool squandered possession in their own territory and despite a vital Laffey tackle thwarting Williams, the ball was lifted up and volleyed across Kornel Misciur by Wheatley.

Wheatley was twice denied a second goal in the 28th minute, first with a Misciur save from his header and then after an offside flag when he touched home from close range.

Brilliant dribbling by Morrison released Kareem Ahmed inside the area as the game continued to entertain, only for his driven cross to be cleared away.

Misciur repelled Wheatley’s latest strike when the United forward was found unmarked in the box, and opposite number Elyh Harrison was equal to Kone-Doherty’s attempt to emulate his opener.

But the visitors would take a lead into the break – courtesy of a wonderful Morrison goal.

The Reds worked the ball to the No.7 in space in the centre and he turned before cracking a precise shot into the bottom right corner from 22 yards.

It was a short-lived advantage, however, as United produced a second equaliser just four minutes after the restart.

Williams broke away in the left channel and squared for Fitzgerald, who spun neatly on his first touch and rolled a low finish past Misciur with his second.

Liverpool’s response was strong, Harrison denying Kone-Doherty after more nice link-up with Giblin and Francis Gyimah clipping a good strike just off target.

But United edged ahead for the first time on the evening shy of the hour mark, Ashton Missin’s sweep across the area arriving to Williams, who returned the ball inside the right post despite a Misciur touch.

The Reds ’keeper reacted well to collect a low hit from home captain Finley McAllister, before a quick United counter-attack was rounded off with a side-footed finish in by substitute Scanlon.

Williams rattled the crossbar late on for the home side, who ultimately clinched the victory by the odd goal in seven after Laffey prodded in Giblin’s inviting cross with 96 on the clock.

TEAM

Misciur, Gyimah, Giblin, Pitt, Furnell-Gill, Laffey, Morrison (Martin, 81), Pennington, Sonni-Lambie, Ahmed (K. Kelly, 64), Kone-Doherty (Evers, 88).

Unused subs: Morana, Enahoro-Marcus.

NEXT UP

Bridge-Wilkinson’s team will look to respond when they continue their FA Youth Cup journey on Sunday afternoon.

Fulham visit the Kirkby Academy for a fifth-round tie that kicks off at 1pm GMT and will be shown live on LFCTV GO.