Reds too hot

ATHLETIC’S youngsters found Manchester United too hot to handle as they were defeated 3–0 in last night’s Manchester Senior Cup tie at Hyde, writes TONY BUGBY.

It was a steep learning curve for Athletic, though coach Lee Duxbury was far from downcast.

He was happy with the discipline his team displayed, saying without it they might have lost by a wider margin against a Reds team which included Brazilian twins Rafael and Fabio Da Silva.

Indeed Athletic, whose side included Nick Blackman and Kieran Lee, might have staged an unlikely comeback in the second half but for the heroics of Reds keeper Ben Amos who pulled off super saves to twice deny Hungarian striker Patrik Tischler.

It was no surprise when Febien Brandy put United ahead midway through the opening half because he had twice gone close earlier.

Brandy, who has had loan spells at Swansea and Hereford, latched on to a long through ball from Sam Hewson before finding the net with a low shot.

And barely 60 seconds later they doubled their advantage after Hewson, also a former Hereford loan player, scored from close range after a breathtaking run from Fabio Da Silva down the left.

Athletic had several narrow escapes in the second half as Matthew James forced keeper Josh Ollerenshaw to make a splendid save and the same player was also denied by a post.

But Athletic put up a fight as Blackman went close and Tischler was twice denied by Amos.

United’s third goal came in stoppage time as substitute Joshua King broke away on the left and found the net with a clinical piece of finishing.