Reds complete Slovakia stay with hard-fought draw
Posted by nickogs20 on October 31, 2010
United’s U18s completed their week-long training camp in Slovakia with a friendly against 1.FC Tatran Prešov, coming back from two goals down to earn a 2-2 draw thanks to goals from substitutes James Wilson and Luke Giverin.
After the humbling 5-1 reverse against FK Dukla Banská Bystrica on Tuesday, Paul McGuinness’ side made the trip to eastern Slovakia and showed great spirit to salvage a decent result against FC Tatran’s U19s in front of a big crowd of 2,555 spectators at Tatran Štadión. Responding to strikes from Dolného and Andrejka, United’s goals came after 64 and 77 minutes, the first coming from the 14 year-old Wilson, who was said to have particularly impressed. McGuinness spoke afterwards to the Slovak press and reiterated just what a productive experience the trip has been for his young charges:
“We very much enjoyed this game and the whole stay in Slovakia. It was a great challenge for the boys to travel so far. For them it was a good change – we trained, relaxed, played two games and visited the thermal swimming pools.”
Team: Coll (Jacob), M.Keane, McGinty (Giverin), Fornasier, Thorpe (c), Tunnicliffe, Lingard, Ekangamene, W.Keane, Lawrence (Wilson), Blackett (Barmby).
Full travelling squad: Jack Barmby, Tyler Blackett, John Cofie, Larnell Cole, Joe Coll, Charni Ekangamene, Michele Fornasier, Zeki Fryers, Luke Giverin, Joshua Harrop, Etzaz Hussain, Liam Jacob, Sam Johnstone, Will Keane, Michael Keane, Tom Lawrence, Jesse Lingard, Alberto Massacci, Luke McCullough, Sean McGinty, Tom Thorpe, Ryan Tunnicliffe, James Wilson.
The Reds now return to England ahead of a return to Premier Academy League action and a trip to face Wolves this coming Saturday.
Maik said
14 years old? wow… But still, is that putting him in a good light or the rest of the team in a bad one? We can’t say we fielded a weak team…