[carlyluvsunited]

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Written by Nick and the guys at United Youth Blog, thanks guys United Youth

Further evidence of the spirit new Reserve boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer seems to
have instilled in his squad was on display at Cobham this afternoon as a long-
range thunderbolt from Fábio da Silva and a late late Darron Gibson penalty
rescued a draw for the Reds from a game in which they had been distinctly
second -best to a strong Chelsea side for long periods.

In the second ‘leg’ of a double-header which has seen the first-ever meetings bet-
ween the two clubs’ reserve teams, the Blues had a point to prove after being
narrowly beaten in a very even contest at the Marstons Arena last Monday. To
that end Chelsea reserves’ boss Brendan Rodgers named a much stronger side
than the one that took the field in Northwich, with Portuguese ‘keeper Hilário and
England youth starlets Michael Mancienne and Scott Sinclair providing a relative
wealth of first-team experience and Argentine prodigy Franco di Santo bolstering
the attack.

Solskjaer himself made a number of changes to the side from last week. Ben Foster
was replaced by Ben Amos in goal, with Fábio and Rafael dropping back to full-back
and Richard Eckersley moving inside to partner James Chester at centre-back. Tom
Cleverley was also brought in as part of a three-man central midfield (alongside
Gibson and Sam Hewson), with Danny Drinkwater and David Gray taking up the wide
positions and supporting the returning Danny Welbeck in the lone striker role.







Chelsea dominated proceedings in the first half, going close through Sergio
Tejera inside sixty seconds before going infront on the half hour when Jacob
Mellis, so impressive last week, coolly finished after the Reds failed to properly
clear a corner. Rodgers’ men then doubled their lead on the stroke of half-time,
Sinclair rising highest to direct Magnay’s cross past Amos.

The second half gradually saw United claw their way back into the game, eventually
turning that resurgence into goals as the game neared it’s close. First a slick passing
move resulted in Fábio picking the ball up thirty yards out, from where the Brazilian
teen advanced and unleashed a terrific strike that Rhys Taylor in the Chelsea goal
got a hand to but couldn’t keep out. United then preserved their unbeaten pre-season
record deep into injury-time, Bridcutt recklessly felling Drinkwater and Gibson stepping
up to coolly send Welsh U21 goalie Taylor the wrong way.

For the third time in this pre-season campaign the Reds’ had fought back from two goals
down to get a result, today’s result being particularly pleasing considering the calibre of
the opposition. Of some concern though will be injuries to Welbeck (eye) and Rafael
(shoulder), although neither looked to be particularly serious.


United

1. Ben Amos
2. Rafael da Silva (16. Cameron Stewart 80)
3. Fábio da Silva
4. James Chester
5. Richard Eckersley
6. Darron Gibson
7. Sam Hewson (15. Magnus Eikrem 80)
8. Daniel Drinkwater
9. Danny Welbeck (14. Federico Macheda 14)
10. Tom Cleverley
11. David Gray (c)

Subs not used
12. Corry Evans
13. Ron-Robert Zieler
17. Jimmy Derbyshire

Next up for the Reds’ second string is the first competitive game of their season, as
the defence of the Manchester Senior Cup kicks off against Bury a week tomorrow
(Weds Sept 3rd). The game is a 2pm kick-off at the Shakers’ Gigg Lane stadium.

[T-Bone]

Fabio's goal was amazing. Great build up play and a thunderous shot to boot. His second amazing goal for the reserves.
Here is a link to the goals: