U18 Premier League North

Leeds United 0

Middlesbrough 3 (O’Gorman 65’, Palmer 76’, Coulson 84’)

Leeds: Kenyon (GK), Firth, Philpott, Whitehead, Billett, Hamilton (c), Render, Brown, Boast, Mensah, Morris. Subs not used: Wood, Thompson, Mills, White, Pirie.

Boro: Elliot (GK), Parker, Achaempong, Scott, Martin, Givenson, Coulson (c), Greenup, O’Gorman, Palmer, Harrison

Subs: Dore, Nino, Roberts, Palmer

Venue: Thorp Arch

Referee: Arran Williams

Despite a a battling performance throughout the 90 minutes at Thorp Arch, a young Leeds United side came up short against a strong Middlesbrough side. After Fin O’Gorman opened the scoring, Middlesbrough went up a gear and got themselves another two goals.

Coming into the game, the draw against Wolves last week was something to build on for Rob Etherington’s side coming into this match, with Boro also in search of three points to move them up the league standings.

For the first few minutes of the game, both teams were looking to play in behind the defence. The Whites started the better out of the two, doing well to get the ball out wide to Jacob Render, but he saw his passes back inside intercepted.

A chance came for Leeds in the 13th minute when they had a free kick on the edge of the box. A curved ball in from Jack Morris found the head of Render whose attempt went just over.

The away side broke away on the counterattack not long after. O’Gorman found himself with the ball at his feet in the centre of the box, but his shot wasn’t good enough to get past Kenyon who made his first brilliant save of the game.

The match continued to provide chances for either side, but neither were clinical enough. A good supporting run from left back by Philpott saw him come close to the opener, but his shot was comfortable for Felix Elliot to save.

The last 15 minutes of the half saw Boro pick up the pace, winning the midfield battle. The best chance of the half came in the 35th minute. Lucas Harrison crossed towards O’Gorman on the edge of the six-yard box, but his header was met by another strong save from Kenyon.

The final chance of the half came for the home side, again after some great play down the right via Render who put in a positive cross to cause problems for the Middlesbrough defence, but Leeds couldn’t get the ball in the back of the net.

HALF-TIME: Leeds United 0-0 Middlesbrough

The second half started the same as the first, with both teams looking to play balls in behind the defence down the right-hand side. Middlesbrough’s right winger, Coulson, was the first to get the better of his left back but more brilliance from Kenyon in goal denied the opener.

Five minutes later, Kenyon once again pulled off a fantastic save from a near post attempt by Coulson to keep his side in the game.

As Boro were starting to pile on the pressure, Leeds an opportunity to counter. Arguably the best chance of the game for the hosts came just after an hour played, as Render broke away with Oliver Boast in support as they were two-on-two in behind.

Render found his striker with a pass that split the two defenders, and Boast took his time, but his strike was just wide as it skimmed the right-hand post.

The first goal of the game came in the 65th minute. Despite another good save from Kenyon, the ball fell back to the feet of O’Gorman who comfortably finished.

Leeds were close to an instant equaliser as Render was again the player driving down the right, laying a ball into the box which fell to the feet of Lleyton Brown. His shot was deflected and looked as if it was finding the bottom left corner, but just went wide.

The away side were now full of confidence after going one nil up and broke down the home defence with some nice two-touch football. Coulson thought he had got the second, but Kenyon was once again the man to stop a cross-goal attempt by getting down well and collecting the ball.

Middlesbrough got their second in the 76th minute. A controversial challenge on Boast allowed them to counter and meant substitute, Bailey Palmer tapped in another deflected save to double the lead.

Eight minutes later, Boro had three. Coulson got his goal after some more technical play down the right and took a composed shot to find the bottom left corner.

The game began to quieten down, but Leeds found themselves on the back foot in the final minute. For the last time in the game Kenyon pulled off a wonder-save to push the ball onto the post. The final whistle was blown not long after.

FULL-TIME: Leeds United 0-3 Middlesbrough