U18 Premier League North

Leeds United U18 0

Manchester City U18 0

Leeds: Baird (GK), Dudley, Bird (C), Pickles, Billett, Matykiewicz, Render (Pirie 69'), Brown (Simo 85'), Boast (Brockie 60'), Morris, Lane. Subs not used: Keyon (GK), Howard.

Venue: Thorp Arch

Referee: Daniel McDonald

Leeds United Under-18s were held to a goalless draw in their U18 Premier League North campaign opener against Manchester City Under-18s at Thorp Arch.

A fixture that saw a rerun of last season’s FA Youth Cup Final, an inspired performance between the City goalposts from keeper Oliver Whatmuff left Rob Etherington’s side frustrated, after a number of fine saves ensured the score remained deadlocked throughout.

Under the Yorkshire sun, the Young Whites started brightly, dominating possession and looking the more dangerous of the two teams in the initial stages.

An early corner caused the visitors all sorts of problems as Leeds searched for the opener, with Whatmuff on hand to make an important save for City.

For all the pressure from the hosts, the away side still posed a threat of their own, with Alex Baird equal to Luca Fletcher’s low strike from the edge of the area.

Baird’s services were again called upon moments later, tipping Christian Dunbar-McDonald’s well-struck effort over the bar, with Kaden Braithwaite unable to guide a header on target following the resulting corner.

Approaching the break and Reigan Heskey rattled the woodwork for the visitors, meeting Seth Chingwaro’s inviting delivery at the back post.

HALF TIME: Leeds United U18 0-0 Manchester City U18

After the break, the game continued its frenetic nature with Finlay Gorman looking to catch Baird out with an audacious chip, but alert to the danger and backpedaling, the keeper was equal to the effort.

The Whites would have taken the lead if not for Whatmuff once more, making a superb fingertip save to deny a Jack Morris strike that had looked destined to nestle in the corner.

With both teams pushing for the first goal, defender Coban Bird made a pivotal interception for Etherington’s side, blocking Heskey’s strike after the forward had latched onto Gorman’s pass.

In the final moments, Whatmuff again preserved his team’s clean sheet, making a superb diving save to deny Lewis Pirie’s initial strike from distance, before smothering the follow up as the full-time whistle sounded at Thorp Arch.

FULL TIME: Leeds United U18 0-0 Manchester City U18