United's U18s were unlucky not to gain at least a share of the spoils as they began their FA Premier League Academy campaign with a 1-0 defeat against Reading at Shirecliffe on Saturday.

An unfortunate own-goal from Terry Kennedy settled the contest in the end, but the Blades were denied two stonewall penalties and missed a number of clear cut chances in the second-half.

The first-half was a quiet affair until KENNEDY deflected the ball into his own net from a corner. Almost immediately United could have had the chance to net an equaliser only for the referee to bizarrely miss a blatant infringement in the box.

The second-half saw the home side get to grips with the game and they had the Royals on the back foot for prolonged periods. Daniel Deakin was denied when clean through, before Jordan Slew hit the woodwork with the goalkeeper beaten.

Another penalty appeal was waved away, despite everyone seemingly expecting the referee to point to the spot. Elliott Whitehouse then came close twice late on but the visitors managed to hang on, despite the mounting pressure on their goal.

Academy boss John Pemberton refused to get too downbeat following the defeat, insisting development is the order of the day this term:

"We played okay, although we weren't as good as we were in pre-season. The pleasing thing is that we had seven first-year scholars in the starting line-up and that is really important.

"It is difficult to be too disappointed because we created more chances and had two nailed on penalties denied, which meant on another day we could have won.

"We are going to try and play football this season and if things don't go our way then we will stomach the results, if the lads are showing signs of progression."

Blades: Long, Montgomery, McFadzean, Wilkinson (Harriett 65), Maguire (Darlow 60), Kennedy, Deakin (Hinchcliffe 70), Murray, Slew, Ironside, Whitehouse.
Unused: Willis, Gregory.