Updated 27/04/98
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Date: Thu, 23 Apr 1998 18:25:35 -0400

Subject: List: Reserves v Everton

I had a very enjoyable evening yesterday, watching the Reserves beat Everton reserves by 7 - 0! A wonderful game with some wonderful football and watched in the company of our esteemed list administrator DA, Gerry who came over with DA and our very own Pete H. Ole was at his best, scoring goals for fun but also impressive was Jordi Cruyff (contrary to what some believe, I do give credit where its due!), Brian McClair (I'm not biased - he had a good game!), Michael Twiss and Danny Higginbotham.

Five of the goals came in the first half, with Choccy getting the first one. It was soon followed by Ole's first, which came from a ball from Twiss off a header from Choccy. Choccy was again involved in the third (and Ole's second) and then Twiss himself scored the fourth. Cruyff turned provider for Ole for the fifth goal, giving Ole a hat-trick. 5-0 was the half-time score.

The half-time break saw us entertained by some excellent football from the finalists in the Manchester United Football in the Community schools six-a-side competition. The final involved a team from a Manchester school and one from a Salford school, so there was some good-natured rivalry in our part of the ground! Unfortunately, the Salford lads didn't quite manage to get their equaliser and the Manchester lads ran out winners by 1-0. This was the cue for wild celebrations on the pitch, whilst one sad little lad from Salford (who had been dubbed Paul Scholes because of his red hair) cried his eyes out!

The second half brought another couple of goals. The first scored (again!) by Ole from a header from Cruyff. The final goal was the best of the night (so I'm told - I looked away for a second and missed it!), as Thornley hit a scorching ball into the net, on the volley.

So it finished 7-0 after a very good evening's entertainment. Hopefully, the first team can do something similar on Monday. We said goodbye to DA, very sad to see him leave us again. Hopefully it won't be long before we see him again and in the meantime I wish DA, Kathy and Gerry a very safe and enjoyable journey home.

Linda

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Linda Harvey linda@eccles.u-net.com

UNITED's final game:
Apr 29 v Nottingham Forest Reserves (Away)

Thu, 30 Apr 1998      UNITED CASH IN ON LYTTLE BLUNDER

Nottm Forest Reserves 0 Man United Reserves 1

A bizarre own goal kept alive United's hopes of retaining the Pontins' League premier division title at the City Ground last night. The game was just three minutes old when Forest defender Des Lyttle inexplicably put the ball past his own keeper, Mark Crossley, to give United the lead. Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, playing his last game before starting a three match suspension, had crossed the ball from the right. There appeared to be no threat to Forest when the ball landed at Lyttle's feet but he surprised everyone by turning it into his own net.

Phil Mulryne should have increased United's lead seconds later but his shot went wide and Ben Thornley also missed the target after receiving a superb through ball from Jordi Cruyff. Solksjaer almost beat Crossley with a blisteriing 30 yard shot but the Forest keeeper produced a terrific one-handed save. And on the stroke of half-time Richard Hodgson nearly snatched an equaliser with a spectacular drive which hit the underside of the crossbar.

The chances continued to flow after the break with Hodgson and Paul McGregor going close for the home side. Thornley, Cruyff and Mulryne all missed opportunities to make the game safe for United but in the end it was Lyttle's gift which proved decisive. This win, coupled with Liverpool's defeat of Leeds leaves United four points clear at the top of the table. However, the Yorkshire club still have two games left.

United: Van de Gouw, Clegg, Curtis (Ford), Casper, Berg (Brown), Twiss, Cruyff, Mulryne,
                  McClair, Solskjaer, Thornley. Sub not used: Notman.

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Linda Harvey

linda@eccles.u-net.com

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United's final game:
Apr 27 v Stoke City 'A' (Away)

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