Forthcoming Fixtures

Manchester United Cruise into Final

MUFC Reserves 2 - 0 MCFC Reserves

After a well observed one minutes silence at the Marston's Arena in memorial of the tragec events at Munich fifty years ago the game got off to a good start for United as City looked all at sea. A quick brace of goals from Chris Eagles within four minutes of each before the quater hour mark set the tone of the match where City were always chasing the game, but United were very organised in defence and City did not have enough up front to break through.

It took City until the twentieth minute to win their first corner which show the reflection of the game that United dominated the opening play and City's indecisiveness in front of their own goal and goalkeeper Richard Martin's poor handling led to Eagles two goals; first from a twenty yard shot and the other direct from the free kick.

City had a good shout in the first half for a penalty when good work by Karl Moore on the left allowed him to play in Alex Nimley who released Kelvin Etuhu in the area; he then cut back pushing the ball away, but Tom Heaton pulled Kelvin's legs from under him but the referee waived play on.

City made Early second half changes that helped them to gain the upper hand in possession after the break but could not force that final opening to create a decent chance to get back into the game. Indeed Martin had to pull off a fine save from Tom Cleverley to keep the score down.

With this result United have qualified for the final; where as City now have to rely on other unlikely results to make it to the final this season to help retain the trophy they won at Old Trafford last season.

With Ched Evans being out on loan and Daniel Sturridge playing more first team football; without playing any periphery first team strikers, our reserves will suffer as playing players out of their natural position can have benefits to learning the game, but the long term it is not the answer and may affect the players confidence and ability to move away on loan or find another club at a level they are capable at if City feel they have not got the required ability to stay with the club and having to settle for a lower league club will dent the opportunity for City to realise any value in the player as with a few youngsters that they have seen depart.

City now travel their furthest away reserve match to Newcastle's Kingston Park this Monday to help keep a good title challenge going, but with City playing their youth cup game on Wednesday at Bristol the full squad might be slightly older.


United: Heaton(GK), Gray, Lea, Eckersley, Chester, Hewson(Capt.), Barnes(Possebon 56), Cleverley, Welbeck, Eagles, S Evans(Galbraith 82).

Subs: Zieler(GK), Bryan, C Evans.


City: Martin(GK), Logan(Capt.), Williamson, Breen, McDonald, Clayton, Etuhu(Weiss 46), Grimes, Nimely-Tchuimeni, Marshall(Kay 82), Moore.

Subs: Mentel(GK), Mouritsen.

Att: 558.(An interesting figure given the timing of the game)