Young United striker Frank Mulhern scored a second half hat-trick to help the Under-18s defeat Brentford at Thorp Arch on Saturday.

United started the game well and took an early lead through Tom Lyman but the away side dominated the possession there after.

United’s young charges defended well and limited Brentford to efforts on goal from distance - but the away side levelled the tie before the interval.

Under-18s manager Richard Naylor changed the playing system at the break and saw his side pressure Brentford higher up the pitch and also made it more of a physical contest in the second half.

The pressure on the away side paid off and Mulhern, the Under-18s leading marksman, helped himself to a hat-trick with three good finishes.

“We started off quite well and got ahead through an early goal from Tom Lyman,” said the Under-18s manager. “After the goal we sat back a little bit and allowed Brentford to dominate the play.

“They were a very good side and we were expecting that. They passed the ball well but what we did manage to do was keep them playing in front of us. Most of their efforts on goal were from long range.

“It was slightly disappointing when they equalised but they deservedly levelled the game before half time.

“We changed the system in the second half and got after them higher up the pitch and made it more uncomfortable for them. They couldn’t handle the pressure we were putting on them and we looked really dangerous going forward.

“Frank managed to bag himself three goals and he could have had more. Lewis Cook played well alongside Frank.

“We looked really good in the second half and turned it more of a physical contest and stopped them playing.”

United: Atkinson, Bennett, Pearce, Purver, Skelton, Vann, Berry, Cook, Lyman, Mulhern, Crouz.