U18s Premier League North
Leeds United 2 (Douglas 37’, Debayo 45’)
Nottingham Forest 0
Leeds: Ombang (GK), Diboe (Dawber 82’), Ferguson (Toulson 86’), Coleman (C), Godden, Debayo (Lopata-White 46’), Douglas, Crew, Andreucci, McFadden (Thomas 46’), Wilson (Richards 60’). Subs not used: Baird.
Forest: Bott (GK), Sinclair, Robinson (Morgan 61 ‘), Gbopo, Thompson, Lister, Adueni (Clarke 46’), Whitehall (Blake 69’), Osong, Gardner, Nadin (Anijsko 62’). Subs not used: Willows.
Venue: Thorp Arch
Referee: M. Trevethan
Booked: Coleman (Leeds), Nadin, Gbopo, Morgan (Nottingham Forest)
Scott Gardner’s side got their second win of the season at Thorp Arch on Saturday afternoon. Goals from Connor Douglas and James Debayo just before the half-time interval were enough to give the Whites back-to-back victories.
Nottingham Forest got off to a fast start and pressed the home side high. It nearly paid off when Detlef Espana Osong was sent through and hit an effort goalwards, but Darly Ombang stood tall and denied the early opportunity.
As the first half went on, the home side took control of the game and captain Cian Coleman played a great outside of the boot ball through to Ben Andreucci, who took his first touch away from the defender and released a left-footed strike but the Forest keeper saved well.
Deep into the first half the control the Whites had on the game finally paid off and they grabbed the opener! Winger Douglas scored his second of the season when Connor Ferguson whipped in a fantastic ball that found him all alone at the back post. Douglas took a great first touch to pull the ball down, then placed his finish into the back of the net from close range to open the scoring.
On the stroke of halftime, Leeds doubled their lead! This time it came from a corner, a lofted cross from Max McFadden found Debayo, who leapt up superbly and managed to hit a thunderous header into the bottom corner to extend the advantage.
This was the last action of the first 45 minutes and the whistle went signalling for the interval, sending Leeds in at the break as the happier of the two sides.
HALF TIME: Leeds United 2-0 Nottingham Forest
United made two changes at the break bringing on last season’s top goal scorer Luca Thomas for McFadden and also Reuben Lopata-White replaced goalscorer, Debayo. The away side brought Kristian Clarke on in place of Kevin Adueni.
Nearly 20 minutes into the second half, Scott Gardner’s side had an appeal for a handball inside the forest penalty area.
Substitute Thomas worked the ball onto his favoured left foot and curled an effort goalwards which appeared to strike the defender’s arm. The referee waved away the appeals and told the players to carry on.
Moments later Forest had a quick break away and played Osong through, who then tricked his way past the Leeds goalkeeper in the box and struck a shot, but Ferguson was on the line to clear the ball away in excellent style!
After this scare, the home side regained control and that was to be the last of the action as the referee blew for full time.
This meant that the Whites got their second win in as many games after a very convincing performance. Gardner’s side now look ahead to their cup clash against Wolves next week at Thorp Arch.
FULL TIME: Leeds United 2-0 Nottingham Forest
