Under-18s Premier League North
Leeds United U18 0
Stoke City U18 3 (Nzau 36’, Liu 45’, McWilliams 55’)
Leeds: Cook (GK), Dudley, Thompson (Bhaskaran 80’), Whitehead, Hamilton (Stockton 80’), Watson, Njinko, Alker, Ibrovic-Fletcher (Bridge 80’), Morris (C), Mensah. Subs not used: Wood (GK), Simo.
Stoke: Knight (GK), Phillips, Collins, Achu, McWilliams, Enabulele, Fearn, Liu, Ogbegor, Midwood, Nzau (C) (Nixon 60’). Subs not used: Tortoishell, Hatton, Connell, Day.
Venue: Thorp Arch
Referee: Abdul Hakimy
Booked: Njinko, Mensah (Leeds) McWilliams, Nzau (Stoke)
Leeds United Under-18s fell to defeat on home soil as they were beaten by Stoke City Under-18s in the league at Thorp Arch.
It was the visitors who began on the front foot, targeting the right flank through Elliot Fearn. In the early stages, a whipped cross from the winger was blocked well by Aiden Thompson. Fearn continued to cause problems moments later but Kenneth Mensah intervened to turn the ball behind for a corner.
Leeds responded with a long diagonal pass from Joshua Hamilton that released Mensah down the left. He was brought down just outside the penalty area, presenting an opportunity. Samuel Alker’s free kick forced goalkeeper Lucas Knight to spill the ball initially but he gathered at the second attempt.
The hosts threatened again from a corner as captain Jack Morris and Carrick Njinko combined neatly before the skipper drilled a low cross into the area, which was cleared decisively.
The first shot on target arrived after 20 minutes when Sanchez Phillips and Fearn combined to release Pedro Nzau inside the area but his effort lacked power and was collected comfortably by Robbie Cook.
Leeds nearly capitalised on a defensive error when Njinko pressed high to win possession before pulling the ball back for Morris, whose shot was blocked inside the penalty area.
Despite the hosts’ positive spells, it was Stoke who broke the deadlock in the 36th minute. Midwood burst into the box following a flick-on from Fearn and Thompson’s challenge brought him down, prompting referee Abdul Hakimy to point to the spot.
Nzau stepped up and converted confidently, driving the penalty into the right side of the net and sending Cook the wrong way.
The visitors doubled their advantage on the stroke of half-time. A cross from the left was pulled back towards the penalty spot where Ryan Liu stretched to guide the ball across goal and into the bottom-left corner.
HALF TIME: Leeds United U18 0-2 Stoke City U18
Rob Etherington’s side looked for an immediate response after the restart. Njinko combined well with Morris, playing him into the penalty area but his cross flashed across the face of goal without finding a Leeds shirt.
Despite the Whites’ bright start to the second half, it was Stoke who came closest to extending their lead.
Midwood and Jayden Ogbegor linked up neatly to release Tristan Achu on the edge of the area, where he was brought down to earn a free kick in a dangerous position. Oghosaiwi Enabulele stepped up and struck a powerful right-footed effort that rattled the crossbar.
The pressure eventually told as the Potters added a third goal in the 55th minute. Nzau’s delivery found Joshua McWilliams at the near post and his header clipped the inside of the upright before crossing the line.
Leeds searched for a route back into the clash with Morris coming close to pulling one back. The captain met a pass inside the area first time but his effort drifted narrowly wide of the left-hand post.
Stoke saw out the remainder of the match to secure all three points, with attentions now turning to Tuesday’s trip to Merseyside to face Everton Under-18s for Etherington’s team.
FULL TIME: Leeds United U18 0-3 Stoke City U18
