U18 Premier League North
Leeds United 2 (Pirie 16’, Brockie 72’)
Liverpool 2 (Enahoro-Marcus 70’, Sonni-Lambie 87’)
Leeds: Baird (GK), Dudley, Bird, Pickles, Matykiewicz, Howard, Pirie (Njinko 80’), Brown (Simo 85’), Brockie, Morris (Boast 80’), Lane. Subs not used: Grainger, Billet
Liverpool: Hall (GK), Pitt, Evers, Furnell-Gill, Enahoro-Marcus, Lonmeni (Ngumoha 46’), Bradshaw, Ayman (Ewing 63’), Sonnie-Lambie, Onanuga (Ahmed 46’), O’Connor. Subs not used: Bernard, Martin
Venue: Thorp Arch
Referee: Daniel Sykes
Booked: Bird (Leeds) Enahoro-Marcus, Lonmeni, Bradshaw, Ayman (Liverpool)
Leeds United Under-18s played out a 2-2 draw against Liverpool on Saturday with Rob Etherington’s side unlucky to not come away with all three points on the day.
In familiar fashion to their previous games, the Whites started the game the stronger of the two sides.
Leeds were in complete control of the game early on, retaining possession with some intricate passages of play down the wings, with overlapping full backs Louie Dudley and Coban Bird creating all sorts of problems for the visitors.
The odd opportunity of a counterattack arose for the away side but was instantly diffused by Oliver Pickles in the midfield who worked tirelessly to win the ball back. All momentum was with Leeds to get the first goal of the game.
Etherington’s side did just that on the 15-minute mark as a remarkable solo run from Bird down the left-hand side combined with Freddie Lane, providing a well worked one-two for Bird to run into the box who was then taken down. Referee Daniel Sykes pointed to the spot.
Lewis Pirie calmly converted a side footed strike to put the hosts ahead from 12 yards, giving Leeds a well-deserved lead.
Chances kept on coming for the Whites with Pirie coming close in an attempt to get his second goal of the afternoon.
Liverpool goalkeeper Bailey Hall was the deciding factor in the first half for the away side, who were fortunate not to go in at half time further behind.
HALF TIME: Leeds United U18 1-0 Liverpool U18
The start of the second half saw more of the same momentum in favour of the hosts. With positive chances falling to Brockie on two occasions as well as Pickles’ long-range attempt being saved once again by the Reds’ goalkeeper Hall.
It took a few substitutions in order for the visitors to gain their first foothold of the game. Winger Rio Ngumoha added some much-needed energy, forcing a set piece which was capitalised on by defender Louis Enahoro-Marcus who rose the highest in the box to head in the equaliser.
Despite the setback, it only took two minutes for hosts to regain the lead through Devon Brockie, who saw his persistence on the afternoon pay off. The Whites’ relentless high pressure forced a mistake upon the Liverpool back line leaving Brockie with a simple strike into the bottom left corner to make it 2-1.
Leeds looked to cement their victory and went in search of another, disregarding any ideas of sitting back and allowing the visitors to have control of the game. There was no let-up in energy, aggression or passion for the home side from start to finish.
However, Liverpool forward Joshua Sonni-Lambie struck in the 87th minute to deny the Whites a well-deserved win. A fine piece of individual play allowed him to make something out of nothing, chipping in to level the score with minutes to play.
The full-time whistle sounded with the score level. Although not coming away with a deserved three points, Etherington and his squad will have been encouraged by the display.
The Whites travel to take on Nottingham Forest next weekend in the East Midlands, aiming to return to winning ways.
FULL TIME: Leeds United U18 2-2 Liverpool U18
