We were knocked out of the U18 Premier League Cup with a 4-2 defeat away to Manchester United on Saturday.
We twice came from behind courtesy of goals from Osman Kamara and Josh Nichols to force extra-time against a side who have won every game in the league this season, but we didn’t have enough in the final 30 minutes.
At the end of a quiet first half, it was the home side who took the lead in the 42nd minute when a United corner was swung in to Jack Kingdon, who tapped it in at the far post.
But with half an hour to go, we equalised when Kamara went on a fantastic run into the 18-yard box, going past several players before shooting and scoring on the re-bound.
Sadly United replied instantly, Ethan Williams lashing a shot into the bottom corner two minutes later.
Nevertheless, we showed great character and spirit to bring the score level again when Nichols latched onto a long pass forward, controlled the ball and picked out the bottom corner from the edge of the area for 2-2.
With four minutes of normal time to go, Alexei Rojas made a vital save to deny Ethan Wheatley, who had broken through on goal. Our number one was on hand again moments later to stop a low shot from Williams. From the resulting corner, he saved a header from Louis Jackson.
Three minutes into extra-time, a cross into the box found Harrison Dudziak and his volley was on target but saved by Elyh Harrison.
United took the lead for the third time in the game when Williams got on the end of a counter-attacking move to find the bottom corner.
Goalscorer turned provider on the brink of half-time in extra-time as Williams’ corner was headed in by Jackson for 4-2 to the home side.
We were reduced to ten men in the 118th minute as Luis Brown was sent off for a second bookable offence.
Manchester United XI: Harrison, Nolan, Amass, Kingdon, Jackson, McAllister (C) (Ogunneye 65), Scanlon (Musa 31), Fitzgerald, Wheatley, Fletcher (Biancheri 83), Williams
Substitutes not used: Myles, Munro
Arsenal XI: Rojas, Nichols, Brown, Kacurri, Sweet (Heaven 72), Rosiak, Kabia (Ismail 106), Dudziak (C), Oyetunde (Akolbire 91), Casey (Ryan 65), Kamara
Substitutes not used: Okonkwo
Goals: Manchester United - Kingdon (42), Williams (61, 98), Jackson (105), Arsenal - Kamara (59), Nichols (68)
Bookings: Manchester United - McAllister (52), Kingdon (82) Arsenal - Brown (8, 118), Nichols (61), Heaven (76)
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