Manchester United's Under-18s concluded a successful regular season in the U18 Premier League North with a 3-1 victory over Everton at Carrington on Saturday.
Gabriele Biancheri scored twice late in the first half - with Rocco Lambert's equaliser for Everton sandwiched in between - before Malachi Sharpe sealed the win late on for Adam Lawrence's side.
Both goalkeepers were forced into saves in the opening exchanges. Everton’s George Pickford kept out Sharpe’s shot with a minute on the clock, before Reds stopper Tom Myles parried away Luis Gardner’s drive.
The already-crowned northern champions had to be patient against the well-drilled visitors, coached by former Everton and Wigan full-back Leighton Baines, who made it difficult during the first half before a late flurry of goals.
U18s images: United v Everton
GalleryScroll through our gallery from Saturday's encounter with the Toffees.
United made the breakthrough in the 38th minute as Kamason latched onto Zach Baumann’s blocked shot and crossed low for Biancheri to finish from close range.
The Toffees levelled against the run of play in the final minute of normal time, full-back Lambert rifling a shot past Myles at the near post.
But Biancheri ensured United went into the break ahead, finding space at the near post to get on the end of Ruben Curley’s low centre from the byline in stoppage time, for his second goal of the game.
Our no.9 was denied a hat-trick by a defensive block from Odin Samuels-Smith as the Reds resumed proceedings after the restart with renewed vigour.
The left flank was a constant source of danger to Everton, with both Curley and James Nolan going close with efforts from inside the box.
Everton stepped up their search for an equaliser, with Myles called into action to save long-range attempts by Gardner and Harvey Foster, before getting down low to deny Joel Catesby.
Our Under-18s have one more game left to play this season.
But Sharpe, who had been denied twice by the Toffees keeper in the second half, netted the third goal that the young Reds had threatened, in the 83rd minute, after capitalising on a defensive mistake inside the box.
Myles saved again from Catesby deep into stoppage time, thwarting the only scare for United in the closing stages.
Attention now turns to the national final against the southern champions Chelsea later this month to decide who will win the U18 Premier League title.
MATCH DETAILS
United: Myles; Kamason, McAllister (c), Armer, Nolan; Devaney (Thwaites 78); Baumann, Curley (Abraha 84), J.Fletcher; Sharpe, Biancheri (Mills 84).
Subs not used: Plunkett, Murdock.
Goals: Biancheri 38, 45+2, Sharpe 83 | Lambert 45.
Booked: J.Fletcher.