Ethan Ennis shines as Manchester United’s under-23 beat Altrincham 4-0 to go top of National League Cup Group B with two wins from two.
Ennis scored a first-half brace before completing his hat trick in second-half added time, after Amir Ibragimov had added a third for the visitors.
Altrincham failed to convert several good chances, as they dropped to sixth in the eight-team group.
United opened the scoring after 16 minutes through Ennis following Jack Moorhouse’s impressive drive forward.
Altrincham threatened to equalise with Tylor Golden’s right-footed effort, which forced United’s Dermot Mee into a good stop down to his left.
Ennis doubled the visitors’ advantage after 25 minutes with a great curled effort, following Harry Amass’ dragged cross from the right-hand side.
Altrincham threatened six minutes into the second half through substitute Alex Newby who forced Mee into a smart stop down to his left.
United secured the points with a third goal after 70 minutes, when Ibragimov tapped home after Victor Musa’s deflected strike came off the crossbar.
Altrincham should have grabbed a consolation 11 minutes later through Kahrel Reddin, who dragged his left-footed shot wide when one-on-one with Mee.
But United grabbed the final goal, as Ethan Ennis completed his hat trick at the start of stoppage time, when he lifted a clever chip over Louie Fallon.
Altrincham manager Phil Parkinson said: “The start of the game was horrific, maybe down to the seven, eight changes I made, and a couple of the lads haven’t kicked a ball in almost 12 months so they’re returning to fitness.
“After the opening 20, we did acquit ourselves well and created chances where on another day we score two or three of them.
“We’d had a good run of form in our league campaign and sometimes you can get complacent.”
Featured Image/ James Taylor
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