Southampton were full value for their impressive win over a well fancied Manchester United side in front of a large crowd at the Coleraine Showgrounds this evening.
The Saints took the lead in the third minute from the first attack a Ben Pleavin miskick ending up in his own net over the head of Ondrej Mastney, much to the delight of a sizeable Southampton delegation.
United regained control of possession once again, again unable to create any chances despite Anthony Elenga’s eye catching footwork. The tide shifted in the eleventh minute after a fantastic hard challenge from Sam Balley on Anthony Elenga.
From this Southampton went on the attack a direct, driving run from Teden Mengi winning a free kick in a dangerous area. Ronald Idowu clipped in sharp ball which Mastney dropped before latching onto it safely.
The Old Trafford side were almost level in the thirteenth minute a skilful burst Anthony Elenga his delivery found Ademjo Odudeko, his header crashed off the post.
The lead was doubled in the fifteenth minute a poor pass was latched onto by Frank Lovett who used his pace to get beyond the United defenders finishing low under the onrushing Man United keeper.
The composure of the Saints was highly impressive keeping the ball, minimising the chances their opponents could create. Ben Pleavin’s disastrous half would continue being caught in possession, Lovett again bearing down on goal only for Mastny coming sharply from his line to clear the danger.
HALF TIME: MANCHESTER UNITED 0-2 SOUTHAMPTON
The St.Mary’s Men went on the attack from the restart, Mastny again out sharp to snuff out the danger. As United began to grow into the game looking more composed on the ball, passing it around with great aplomb.
Yet again though it would be the leader who would create the chance. The blinking speed of Nicholas Komey’s feet aiding his escape from the surrounding clutches of four men.
Setting up Lovett his curling effort after a jinx to find space tailed wide of the post. With twenty minutes left to play United came close to pulling one back with a finely struck free kick matched acrobatically by Oliver Wright to tip it over the bar.
An incisive run from Hayden Smethurst saw him square the ball to Teden Mengi only for Wright to save expertly once again. It could have been three with three to play Seamus Keogh making Mastny work from thirty yards after seeing an opening.
This would be the final action of the game, a monumental win for the Saints. Manchester United will now meet County Armagh in the Globe Semi Final, while Southampton will meet Middlesbrough in the Bowl Semi Final.
Teams;
Manchester United: Ondrej Mastny, Iestyn Hughes, Samuel Peplow, Teden Mengi, Ben Pleavin, Hayden Smethurst, Anthony Elanga, Ademjo Odubeko, Kian Leavy, George Ray Wyatt.
Southampton: Oliver Wright, Sueng Woo Yang, Ethan Hill, Jack Turner, Will Tizzard, Ronald Idowu, Sam Balley, Seamus Keogh, Dylan Duffy, Frank Lovett, Nicholas Komey.
Credit, Odhrán Crumley @odhranc14