U18s Premier League Cup
Leeds United 1 (Thomas 65)
Sheffield United 2 (Dickinson 11, Blacker 84)
Leeds: Ombang, Richards, Diboe (Ferguson 46), Crew (Coleman 46), Lopata-White, Dawber, Douglas (Wilson 55), Toulson, Andreucci, Thomas, McFadden. Subs not used: Grainger, Cresswell.
Sheffield United: Faxon, Waldron, Haughton-Parris, Staniland, Prunty (Okyere 78’), Pitan, Aston (Cicarelli 90), Dickinson, Blacker (Havenhand 85), Hampson, Cummings (Clarke 70’) Subs not used: Yam.
Booked: Diboe, Richards, Coleman, Ferguson, Toulson, Wilson (Leeds) Aston, Hampson, Pitan, Haughton-Parris, Waldron, Faxon (Sheffield United)
Referee: Thomas Maher
Venue: Thorp Arch
Scott Gardner’s side began their Premier League Cup campaign with defeat against Sheffield United in a feisty encounter at Thorp Arch.
The Blades got off to a fast start and nearly opened the scoring inside two minutes. Billy Blacker slipped Sam Aston through on goal, but he could only see his effort cannon against the post.
The visitors continued to attack in the early stages of the game and they were rewarded for their efforts when they were awarded a penalty after 10 minutes. Owen Hampson was brought down in the area, George Dickinson stepped up to take the penalty and slotted it into the bottom right corner.
Leeds responded to going a goal down and started to keep possession well. Max McFadden delivered a dangerous cross straight across the face of goal, but no one was there to convert.
The Whites continued to grow into the game and they started to gain more of an attacking edge. Ben Andreucci drilled a ball into Luca Thomas’ feet, he flicked it back into Andreucci’s path, but he could only see his effort sting the palms of Luke Faxon in the visitors net. Much better play from the hosts.
The Blades had a great chance to double their lead before half time. Levis Pitan found himself high up the pitch, he pulled a cross back to Blacker, but he put his effort over the bar from close range.
HALF TIME: Leeds United 0-1 Sheffield United
Gardner decided to make two substitutions at half time, introducing Cian Coleman and Connor Ferguson, and they made a positive impact, as Leeds started the half on the front foot.
Leeds’ best chance of the game fell to substitute Cian Coleman on the hour mark. A deep corner from McFadden was aimed towards the back post, Coleman was there unmarked, but he couldn’t keep his header down from close range.
The Whites continued to push forward and just minutes later found an equaliser! Once again, another terrific delivery by McFadden from a corner, he lofted it into a dangerous area and Thomas leaped the highest and headed home into the top left corner, to bring the scores level in the 65th minute.
The Blades nearly hit back straight away. Blacker was played through on goal, he looked destined to score, but Daryll Ombang producing a stunning save low down to his left to keep the strikers effort out.
The visitors did eventually regain the lead in the 83rd minute. A free kick was played low across the box, and Blacker was there to convert from close range.
The Whites had a great chance to equalise in the dying moments of the game with a well worked free kick from Thomas, he laid the ball off to Ferguson who was through on goal, but his effort was straight at the keeper’.
Gardner’s side will now look to re-group as their attention will turn back to the league as they host Wolves at Thorp Arch.
FULL TIME: Leeds 1-2 Sheffield United
