FIRST HALF
United’s intentions were clear from the whistle: play with pace and intensity. Athletic took some moments to settle, with one loose pass at the back well-intercepted by right-winger Bendito Mantato. Unable to find sufficient space for a shot, Mantato shunted it wide to captain Jacob Devaney, whose attempt was blocked.
Despite that quick start, further chances were hard to come by. Instead, on one of their first probes forward, Athletic justly earned a free-kick on the area’s edge. From a completely central position, Asier Hierro cleverly curled a low shot around the wall and into the bottom right corner, where United goalkeeper Will Murdock was unable to reach.
Murdock made two saves soon after, as Athletic enjoyed a more dominant spell. The first was straight at him, from right-back Daniel Perez, who had gone marauding foward as the visitors won possession in United’s half. Four minutes later, Murdock was at full reach to tip Gaizka Alboniga-Menor’s left-footed shot from 12 yards out around the right post.
