\nManchester United u21s took on their Chelsea counterparts on Friday night at Kingsmeadow for what was just their second match in 10 weeks.<\/p>\n
Chelsea threatened early through Leo Castledine who broke down the left wing and attempted to chip the ball over Elyh Harrison but the keeper managed to dangle out a leg to send it wide for a corner.<\/p>\n
The resulting corner saw Chelsea put the ball in the back of the net following a scramble but it was quickly chalked off for offside.<\/p>\n
Still in the opening five minutes, Sam Mather poked the ball through for Ethan Wheatley and the striker stretched to tip it in but the Chelsea keeper reached it first.<\/p>\n
In the 28th minute, clear fouls on Shola Shoretire and Isak Hansen-Aaroen were waved off which allowed Chelsea to counter attack with Castledine forcing another good save from Harrison.<\/p>\n
But just a minute later, Harrison came to collect a cross and dropped the ball allowing Chelsea’s Donnell McNeilly to strike the ball off the bar and down bouncing just over the line.<\/p>\n
United had a chance to equalise before the break when Maxi Oyedele broke past a challenge on the right side to charge into the box and cut back for Sam Murray to strike but a great save from Max Merrick kept it 0-1.<\/p>\n
Chelsea then doubled their lead moments before the half time whistle with McNeilly grabbing his second after controlling a low cross into the box and finishing past Harrison.<\/p>\n
A late injury to James Nolan saw Toby Collyer introduced and Ruben Curley also entered the fray at the break for Maxi Oyedele.<\/p>\n
Curley made an instant impact spreading the play nicely to Mather who cut in onto his right but couldn’t get enough curl on his effort to hit the target.<\/p>\n
Curley then drove into the box, passing to Wheatley before getting it back and finding Shoretire who dispatched with his left foot.<\/p>\n
\nShola Shoretire\u2019s first goal last night vs Chelsea pic.twitter.com\/YHJh6a5ZJe<\/a><\/p>\n
— Manchester United Academy (@RedYouthUnited) January 13, 2024<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n