Saints youth go undefeated against Manchester United

Match report by Samuel Porritt

Game 1: 

In the opening game, St. Johnstone took the lead in 10 minutes. Liam Parker headed home from a corner, getting on the end of an inswinging delivery to flick the ball past the goalkeeper at the near post. The Saints skipper had put his side 1-0 up. 

United came close on one occasion in the first half, with a cross from deep almost going in, luckily for Saints it landed on the roof of the net.

St. Johnstone went into the break 1-0 up, they were playing some neat football and looked comfortable defending Manchester United. ‘The Red Devils’ were pretty flat in the opening 30 minutes, and failed to really trouble the Perth side who were on top form.

3 minutes into the second half Saints doubled their advantage, as Defender Liam Parker secured his brace. The Saints captain nodded a long free-kick into the box past the United keeper and into the back of the net.

Saints almost added a third moments later. Pert shrugged off a United defender and turned inside to cut the ball back across the box, but McMilan could not quite get on the end of it and the ball rolled wide and out.

Manchester United created their biggest chance of the game in the 51st minute, some nice passing play on the edge of the box resulted in a 1-on-1 with Hepburn, but the St. Johnstone number 1 stood firm to save with his legs. 

The visitors were now picking up and beginning to have a few chances themselves, the number 11 for Manchester United was next to test Hepburn. He picked the ball up outside the box and took a pop at goal, but his effort was well acrobatically saved. 

Game 1 Full Time: St. Johnstone 2-0 Manchester United

St. Johnstone were good value for the win. A goal in each half from Parker was enough to secure the victory. 

Game 2: 

St. Johnstone had the first attack of the game in the 3rd minute, bursting forward and linking up well. Unfortunately, the shot was tame and went wide from a tight angle, under pressure from the Manchester United defenders.

St. Johnstone took the lead 16 minutes into the first half. After rounding the keeper but going too wide of the goal, the Saints attacker then laid the ball off wide for a teammate, who attempted to chip the keeper - his strike bounced back off the bar for Jackson Mylchreest - who thumped the ball into the back of the net, past a defender on the line.

St. Johnstone then came close to doubling their advantage when Bullard latched onto a loose ball in behind the United defence and lobbed the onrushing keeper, but his effort  bounced agonisingly wide. 

In the 23rd minute United almost levelled the scoring. Number 18 created space for himself just outside the box, but under pressure from the St. Johnstone defence, his effort flew just over the bar.

The visitors then got their equaliser. Number 8 stepped up to take a free-kick from far out, curling the ball over the wall and into the back of the net. 

The sides went into the half-time break at 1-apiece. Saints started the game stronger and were looking confident going forward. The rhythm of the game was a little bit more disrupted than the first, with both sides looking to stamp their authority on proceedings.

St. Johnstone took the lead again, as Mylchreest grabbed his second goal of the game in the 36th minute to put his side 2-1 up. A lobbed ball over the top caught the Manchester United defence out, and after setting himself he managed to blast the ball past the opposition keeper and in. 

Saints almost added a 3rd, with a squared ball across the box well saved by the goalie.

Manchester United then equalised again in the 40th minute. After running onto a through ball in-behind the United attacker then lifted it over the onrushing Thompson, and into the back of the net to pull his side level.

United then had the lead for the first time of the afternoon. Their number 9 nodded home at the back post from a wide free-kick into the area. The visitors were now in front. 

Saints then pulled themselves level on the 48th minute. Mylchreest held the ball up in the box before laying it off to Franczak who slotted home at the back post. This was the 6th goal in a thrilling contest, making the game 3-3.

With less than 10 minutes to go United had a chance to score, but they could not beat Thompson, who saved a curling shot from the number 6 to keep his side level.

In the 56th minute Saints had a big chance to take the lead. A 1-on-1 with the keeper was well saved. With the Manchester United goalie not for being beaten, saving the first effort strongly, before then reacting quickly to keep the second shot out. A great double save.

Game 2 Final Score 3-3

The second game was end-to-end, with both sides having an array of chances. Overall, a draw was probably a fair result and it was an enjoyable match to watch. 

A win and a draw against Manchester United is a great set of results for the St. Johnstone Youth Academy, there were plenty of talented players on show for both sides across the games, and both games were good contests. 

A decent crowd turned up today to watch the game, a massive thank you to all who attended, as well as Manchester United. It was a great experience for the boys. 

Alistair Stevenson Interview: 

AS: “Really pleased with the occasion you know, getting Manchester United to come up and play, which was brilliant

“The first game we competed really well, and I thought we were definitely as good as them on the day. We played well, we played some good football, passed the ball quite well and got a couple of goals.“For the boys that is a big achievement going forward. They’ll remember the day they got a result against Manchester United. “The second game was a good, exciting game, it was good to see some goals and have plenty of goalmouth incidents. I think it was a great exercise for us and a great experience for the boys. 

“Jackson Mylchreest got a couple of goals and Fran Franzcak scored one as well, a good goal, so happy with that and really happy with the whole occasion - a great crowd and a great turnout. A brilliant day.”