U18 Premier League North
Everton U18 3 (Akarakiri 30’; Nsangou 58’, 75’)
Leeds United U18 2 (Mensah 15’, Boast 23’)
Everton: Patrick (GK), Finney, van Schoor (C), Davis, Gardner, Foster, Clarke, Akarakiri (Poland 65’), Morgan, Nsangou (Robert 89’), Wren (Stewart 59’). Subs not used: Gospel-Eze (GK), Freedman.
Leeds: Kenyon (GK), Firth (C) (Watson 77’), Philpott, Whitehead, Simo, Howard, Njinko (Alker 61’), Mills (Thompson 90’), Boast, Mensah, White. Subs not used: Wood (GK), Pirie.
Venue: Finch Farm Training Complex
Referee: Jack Lambert
Booked: Davis (Everton)
Sent off: Clarke (Everton)
Leeds United Under-18s fell to a narrow defeat against Everton Under-18s on Merseyside, despite first half goals from Kenneth Mensah and Oliver Boast.
The Whites proved their worth in a strong first half performance which saw them head in at the break with a one goal advantage.
Leeds dominated early on and the first clear-cut chance came in the 12th minute when Callum Mills played Boast in behind, but an Everton defender recovered well and the ball went out for a goal kick.
Rob Etherington’s side took the lead after a quarter of an hour and it was very much deserved. A driving run from Loui Whitehead into the midfield allowed the ball to be worked out wide to Logan White.
The attacker held until Louie Philpott made and overlapping run and then played a first time cross into the middle of the box, met by Mensah who found the back of the net!
Leeds continued with the high-press tactic which was paying off and a deserved second for the visitors doubled their lead after the 23 minutes.
Brilliant build up play in the midfield opened up space for Mills down the left. A perfect low delivery across the face of goal allowed Boast to tap the ball into an open net!
The Toffees pulled one back against the run of play shortly afterwards. A mistimed pass was capitalised by Ademide Akarakiri and his near post finish brought the Blues back into the game.
The home side began to hunt for the equaliser and if it wasn’t for some defensive heroics from Jacob Howard, they would have found it. Two crucial blocks meant that Leeds went into the break with a one goal advantage.
HALF-TIME: Everton U18 1-2 Leeds United U18
Both sides emerged for the second half unchanged, with the hosts starting on the front foot as they looked to level proceedings.
George Morgan and Justin Clarke were causing problems for Leeds down the right but the away side held strong, especially George Kenyon who produced an important save in the 52nd minute to prevent an equaliser.
Howard continued to impress defensively, notably making a sublime challenge approaching the hour mark to block what looked to be a certain goal.
Unfortunately for the Whites, parity was restored moments later. Jonathan Nsangou found himself on the left of the penalty area and a fine strike across goal found the bottom corner.
Everton were reduced to 10, however, when Clarke was shown a second yellow card by referee Jack Lambert after a mistimed challenge on White with just over 20 minutes of normal time remaining.
Despite the mounting pressure, Leeds were unable to capitalise and it was Everton found the winner in the 75th minute as Nsangou calmy took the ball around the keeper and passed it into an empty net.
The last five minutes saw Leeds fighting to salvage a point, but the home side held strong and saw out the game.
FULL-TIME: Everton U18 3-2 Leeds United U18
