Fermanagh Juniors 0 Manchester United 1

A goal line clearance in injury time denied Fermanagh what would have been an historic draw against Manchester United at the Northern Ireland Super Cup on Tuesday evening.

The county side had fallen behind on the stroke of half time, but took control of the match in the closing minutes and were almost rewarded from a corner deep into injury time, only for United to hook the goal bound effort clear from underneath the crossbar.

In front of a large crowd packed with Fermanagh supporters, it was the visiting Manchester United side that made the brighter start, with Calvin Brown in the Fermanagh goal the busier of the two goalkeepers in the first half.

He was quickly off his line to smother United’s first chance after five minutes, and three minutes later he was called into action again when he grabbed a shot at the second attempt.

The Red Devils continued to make the running and Brown continued to impress with a save from a United free kick. Fermanagh were struggling to hang onto the ball with United’s superior passing game giving them the edge, and the keeper made a great reaction save to deny Finley McAllister. Fermanagh’s brave resistance was finally broken seconds before half time when Adam Berry struck a low free kick into the bottom corner of the net.

Fermanagh brought on Joshua Johnston and Monday’s goal scorer Ethan Abercrombie at half time for Jack Beatty and James Taylor, with Alfie McCaffrey and Morgan Whittaker replacing Dylan Seaney and Ben Ellison early in the second period, but the changes brought little reprieve for Fermanagh as United continued to dominate possession.

Fermanagh were digging deep and defending well however, and as the game entered the final five minutes it was the county side in the ascendancy as they pushed for an equaliser.

Backed by a passionate support they won a succession of free kicks, but despite their late pressure they could not find the goal that they craved, as United hung on to claim a hard fought win.