Wanderers U17s group faced their first test in the Floodlit Cup playing host to Salford City at Lostock on Tuesday night.
With no available goalkeepers for the tie, Manchester United first year scholar Cameron
Byrne-Hughes was loaned in on a temporary basis following his debut for the U18s in their victory
over Morecambe at the weekend.
Wanderers dominated early proceedings with Xander Taylor proving to be a key outlet for the
young Whites causing serious problems down the right hand side. Latrell Lewis came close to
opening the scoring but a slip at the crucial point let the visitors off.
Salford soon had a chance of their own through a mis-hit defensive pass in the Wanderers
backline and a ruthless finish past Byrne-Hughes saw Clarke’s side a goal down 15 minutes in.
Wanderers hit back stronger with Toby Ritchie and Corey Thomas linking up to create a few
opportunities, Ritchie rounded the keeper and found the back of the net but saw his goal ruled
out for offside.
With 10 minutes of the first-half left to play Wanderers did get an equaliser, Latrell Lewis bustled
his way into the box and squeezed through two defenders to allow him to poke the ball past the
rooted Salford goalkeeper and tie the match up.
A few chances fell Ritchie’s way and he found himself on the scoresheet just before the break
as he broke through the Salford backline and a calm stroke past the onrushing goalkeeper
completed Wanderers’ first-half comeback.
The second-half saw much of the same with Wanderers causing plenty of problems going
forward. Salford took control for a brief 10 minute spell with Byrne-Hughes making some key
saves to keep Wanderers in the lead.
Wanderers got their third and sealed the game with 12 minutes left to play, Toby Ritchie picked
out Striker Corey Thomas in the box to smash home from 8-yards out and add a two goal cushion
to see the game out.
A successful outing in the Floodlit Cup ended with Wanderers winning 3-1 on the night.
Academy coach Daniel Clarke - who has been involved in the academy setup at Wanderers for
over 12 years gave his thoughts on a solid 3-1 victory on home turf:
"It was a really positive start to the tournament, they linked up with really well despite their being players stepping up from the U16s and some down from the U18s.
"There were plenty of positives to come away with and a few individuals led the team really well. It's important to get the best out of the individuals and give them games like today to showcase what they are capable of, and the players did that.
"It's fantastic to get the three points but the reaction to come back from a goal down, which was
against the run of play, it definitely taught us a few things to come away and address. The lads
did fantastically to create the goal scoring chances they did and probably could’ve had more."
