Premier League 2
Reading vs. Manchester United
Venue: Adams Park
Date: Monday, 28 November 2016
Kick-off: 19:00 GMT

Manchester United drew 2-2 against Reading at reserve team level, in an exciting fixture at Wycombe’s Adams Park.

It was Dominic Hyam who gave the Royals the lead, before a Josh Harrop brace inside a minute turned the match on its head.

The three points weren’t to be attained, however, as Joseph Mendes struck early after the interval to seal a share of the spoils.

It was a frantic first half, with chances at both ends throughout, as Devonte Redmond flicked a header wide from a Sean Goss cross before Andrija Novakovich dragged a shot off target for the hosts.

Joe Riley was sadly forced off with a hamstring strain as Scott McTominay’s effort dropped wide after Callum Gribbin’s find on the right.

The opening goal came after slack United defending saw them fail to clear their lines, as Hyam was left with the simplest of tap-ins into the empty net.

It didn’t take long for the equaliser to arrive, as Gribbin rounded goalkeeper Luke Southwood, who tripped the number 11 in the process, and Harrop stepped up to send Southwood the wrong way from the spot.

Just 36 seconds after scoring and 10 seconds from the restart, Harrop’s dispossession allowed him to run towards the penalty area, and place a smart finish back across goal in a quick turnaround of the scoreline.

Novakovich fired over after a neat turn inside the box, as Goss curled wide at the other end.

Captain Liam Kelly saw a free-kick parried, as Axel Tuanzebe’s attempted clearance cannoned off of Regan Poole and over the bar; with half-time bringing to a close an entertaining half of football.

Good play down the left beginning with Harrop’s flicked pass allowed Sadiq El Fitouri to slip a return ball to the goalscorer, who cut inside onto his favoured right foot and curled a shot just wide.

Failing to deal with a ball into the box proved costly for United once more, as a corner was met by the head of Hyam, with Mendes volleying into the roof of the net unmarked from five yards out.

On the turn, Novakovich’s shot dropped just wide as Harrop’s volley was held looking for his hat-trick.

Substitute Tyler Frost found the side netting as Matty Willock’s shot deflected wide as both sides searched for a winner.

Goss, who has impressed in recent weeks since his return from injury, rattled the bar with a powerful strike, before his long range shot was well held by Southwood deep into stoppage time.

There was time for Sam Smith to round O’Hara, only to roll a shot onto the post, as full-time brought to an end a fantastic game of football.

It was a fair result and a great advert for the reserve Premier League.

Up next at this level is a trip to Aldershot to take on Chelsea at 7pm a week on Friday.

Line-ups:

Manchester United Reserves: O’Hara; Williams, Tuanzebe, Poole (Olosunde 85), Riley (El Fitouri 21); Goss; Gribbin (Mitchell 84), Willock, Redmond, Harrop; McTominay.

Subs not used: Moutha-Sebtaoui, Kehinde.

Manager: Nicky Butt

Reading Reserves: Southwood; Sheppard, Hyam, Jules, Richards, Kelly, Rinomhota, Harriott (Frost 64), Mendes (Smith 75), Barrett, Novakovich.

Subs not used: East, Tupper, Andresson.

Manager: Martin Kuhl

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