U18 Premier League North
Leeds United 2 (Wilson 60’, Douglas 73’)
Middlesbrough 2 (Matthews 3’, MacCarthy 46’)
Leeds: Mahady (GK), Richards, Lopata-White, Toulson (C), Bird, Buchan (Chadwick 46’), Crew (McFadden 46’), Chambers, Douglas, Vincent, Wilson. Subs not used: Ombang (GK), Billett, Brockie.
Boro: Simpson (GK), Patterson-Powell (Patterson 72’), Tewiah, Myers-Smith, Wallace-Ming (Coulson 66’), Grant, Bridge, MacCarthy, McCabe, Lennon (Evans 82’), Matthews. Subs not used: Fisher, Kiasungua.
Venue: Thorp Arch
Referee: S. Wright
Booked: Toulson (Leeds) Myers-Smith (Boro)
Sent-off: Myers-Smith (Boro)
Leeds United Under-18s battled back from two-goals down at home to Middlesbrough, to level the scores in the second half and claim a hard-earned point.
This U18 Premier League North clash was a rearranged match, played at Thorp Arch on Tuesday lunchtime, as the 2022/23 season edges further towards its conclusion.
Coming into the match, the Whites had been on a tough recent run of form and they found themselves behind after just three minutes.
Pressing high up the pitch, Law McCabe won the ball back in a dangerous position for his side and looked up before squaring sidewards for Ajay Matthews to slot home into an empty net and put his side a goal ahead.
The visitors were buoyed by the early goal and were looking to extend their lead, coming close to doing so when Tyler Wallace-Ming had a chance on the edge of the box, volleying wide.
The first big chance for Leeds was from a set-play. A central free-kick around 25-yards out saw Connor Douglas stood over it with confidence, but the midfielder’s effort went narrowly over the bar.
The next set-play was a corner, which created a chance for Jay Buchan - who also struck off target. Shortly after though, Boro ‘keeper Cameron Simpson was tested and he saved well, denying Douglas’ low strike.
The Whites were really growing into the match and shortly before the break, Marley Wilson found space in the box but he flicked his header just past the far post in another big let off for the away side.
HALF TIME: Leeds United 0-1 Middlesbrough
The second half began in a similar way to which the first had started, frustratingly for the Whites, who had ended the first as the stronger of the two teams.
Boro would score their second of the match just 13 seconds after the restart, doubling the advantage. Straight from kick-off, Charlie Lennon found space on the left wing and cut inside. Mahady saved the shot, but on the rebound Bandile MacCarthy was there to fire home.
On the hour mark though, Leeds responded brilliantly and brought themselves back into the game, reducing the deficit with 30 minutes left to play.
Wilson burst forward towards the box and exchanged a clever one-two with Max McFadden before smashing low and accurately into the bottom corner with his left-footed strike.
Pushing forward at pace and looking for their next chance, Boro were struggling to handle the hosts and that saw them reduced to 10-players for the remaining 20 minutes.
Wilson again caused problems as he looked to race clear, but he was dragged back by Alfie Myers-Smith whop had been booked previously, meaning a second yellow was shown and a subsequent red for the Boro defender.
It wouldn’t be long after the dismissal when Leeds drew themselves level in the game. McFadden provided the assist again, setting Douglas through into the box, and he slid home a clever finish into the bottom corner.
An entertaining game was then brought to a close at Thorp Arch with each side taking a point each from the match.
FULL TIME: Leeds United 2-2 Middlesbrough
