Blackburn 2 United 1: Experience tells as reserves suffer defeat

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Blackburn Rovers Reserves	2-1	Manchester United Reserves

Villanueva 55, 57

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Brandy 61

 
United returned to Premier Reserve League action after the winter break with a trip to a chilly Christie Park in Morecambe, but came up just short against an experienced Blackburn Rovers side for whom forward Carlos Villanueva was in inspired form. The Chile international bagged a quickfire double just before the hour mark, and while the Reds responded with a Febian Brandy goal that was beautifully crafted by Davide Petrucci, the home side held on to take all three points.

The first 45 minutes were notable for little more than their drabness but the game came to life after the break, particularly with that quickfire burst of goals about ten minutes into the half. Villanueva had looked the most threatening player on the park in that uneventful opening period and found an end product twice in quick succession to leave Ole Solskjaer’s side up against it. There was an element of doubt about the legitimacy of the first, with the South American appearing to use an arm to bring the ball under control, but there was no doubting the quality of the finish as he lashed the ball past Ben Amos. There was no doubting his confidence two minutes later either, an impudent near-post flick sending Olsson’s low cross past the United stopper.

United’s response was swift and sublime. Petrucci – fresh from his debut goal against Accrington – turned from scorer to creator, sending Brandy racing clear with a glorious throughball, lofted with the outside of his right foot perfectly into the path of the Reds forward. Brandy coolly judged the bounce and dinked it over the onrushing Jason Brown to hand United a lifeline. Unfortunately it was one they couldn’t take, despite the best efforts of Matt James in particular.

 
UNITED
1. Ben Amos
2. Corry Evans
3. Jimmy Derbyshire (16. Joe Dudgeon 75)
4. Ritchie de Laet
5. James Chester (c)
6. Matt James
7. Magnus Eikrem (15. Antonio Bryan 85)
8. Danny Drinkwater
9. Federico Macheda
10. Davide Petrucci (12. Cameron Stewart 64)
11. Febian Brandy

Subs not used
13. Conor Devlin
14. Oliver Norwood

Booked: de Laet, Macheda, Brandy