U18 Premier League North

Leeds United U18 2 (Morris 49’, Alker 81’)

Blackburn Rovers U18 1 (Kelley-Quinn 90’)

Leeds: Cook, Hamilton (Megson 89’), Philpott (Bridge 89’), Mills, Simo, Matykiewicz, Njinko, Thompson (Mensah 59’), Render (Alker 69’), Morris, White. Subs not used: Watson.

Blackburn: Holt, Pitt, Wilkinson, Eze, Kelley-Quinn, Ball, Clanford, Lister, Higgins (Mbonzale 45’), Leatherbarrow (Fletcher 69’), Mccoy (Odogun 83’). Subs not used: Thompson, Walls.

Venue: Thorp Arch

Referee: Sam Parnaby

Booked: Hamilton, Mills, Cook (Leeds) Kelley-Quinn, Leatherbarrow (Blackburn)

Leeds United Under-18s claimed victory at home to Blackburn Rovers Under-18s, thanks to second half goals from Jack Morris and Sam Alker.

In a hard-fought opening, there were few chances for either side in a scrappy first half at Thorp Arch.

Both teams hit the woodwork, with Leeds going closest when Logan White struck a free-kick off the outside of the upright after Carrick Njinko had been brought down just outside the Blackburn box.

After this early chance, the young Whites were looking to settle into the game, with Blackburn applying pressure high up the pitch and aiming to assert their own dominance.

On the 35-minute mark, Rovers forced Robert Cook into two sharp saves in as many minutes. The first was a tip onto the crossbar after a volley was hit into the floor. The second came when the ball broke free on the right side of the six-yard box, with Cook diving low to his left to make the save.

In between these chances, a Blackburn corner beat everyone and crashed off the far post! However, the deadlock remained unbroken for the remainder of the half, sending the teams in level at the break.

HALF TIME: Leeds United 0-0 Blackburn Rovers

The second half began with Blackburn having an effort come back off the woodwork again in an early let-off, but after seeing the danger away, it was then Leeds who went ahead!

In the 49th minute, Njinko brilliantly progressed down the right-hand side, and crossed into White who could not direct his volley goalwards. However, Morris was on hand to smash the bouncing ball into the back of the net, giving the hosts the advantage!

Leeds should have then doubled their lead 10 minutes later, as Elton Simo fired a shot towards goal, only to be denied on the line by teammate Jacob Render who just could not get himself out the way of the strike.

The second goal did eventually arrive though, with Alker superbly starting and ending the move. He won the ball strongly in the centre circle before setting off on a direct run towards the Blackburn goal.

The substitute then laid the ball off to Morris, who returned it back to Alker, leaving just the goalkeeper to beat. His shot forced its way through the outstretched hand of the ‘keeper and ended up in the bottom left corner of the goal, doubling the advantage.

It looked as if the Whites were going to pick up a clean sheet, but a free kick found its way into the box and Blackburn defender Leon Kelley-Quinn hit the ball through a melee of players to halve the deficit.

It was only a consolation goal though, as Leeds defended bravely in the final moments and could be pleased for their work earlier in the half having taken their chances when they came. The result means that United pick-up back-to-back wins for the first time this season.

Next week, Rob Etherington’s side return to Thorp Arch and will take on Middlesborough, looking to win three matches in a row.

FULL TIME: Leeds United 2-1 Blackburn Rovers