U18 Premier League North
Leeds United U18 2 (White 45’, 86’)
Sunderland U18 2 (Matadeen 24’, Geragusian 45’)
Leeds: Cook (GK), Firth (C), Philpott, Whitehead, Matykiewicz, Simo (Hamilton 60’), Morris, Mills, Render, Alker, (Bhaskaran 76’), White. Subs not used: Wood (GK), Megson, Bridge.
Sunderland: Cowan (GK), Burns, Lightfoot, Hunt (C), Forsyth, Lienard, Barker (Matadeen 12’), Scott (Hunter 79’), Geragusian, Dinsdale, Hester (Campbell 69’). Subs not used: Hunter (GK), Brown, Munyakazi.
Booked: Mills (Leeds)
Referee: Bradley Triffitt
Venue: Thorp Arch
As the rain thundered down in West Yorkshire, Leeds United Under-18s were held to a 2-2 draw against Sunderland in the U18 Premier League North.
Despite defending admirably to keep themselves in the game, including a superb goal-line save from goalkeeper Robert Cook, Leeds trailed 2-1 at half-time.
The hosts levelled the game twice, both goals coming from Logan White, with Sunderland’s goals either side of White’s fifth goal of the season seeing the visitors go into the break with a slender advantage.
When we got underway, Sunderland took the lead after 24 minutes when substitute winger Jay Matadeen cut in on his left foot and saw his shot deflect over the outstretched hand of goalkeeper Cook.
After a barrage of chances from the visitors, which the United defence stood firm against, parity was restored. After 45 minutes, Leeds finally found some fluidity, combining well to win a corner after Jacob Render forced a save that resulted in the set-play.
From there, the ball was lifted in and made its way to the back post where White met the ball on the volley and side-footed it through the ‘keepers’ legs to make it 1-1.
It seemed as though the hosts were going to go into the break level, but Sunderland’s striker, Finn Geragusian, was quickly played through on goal and slotted the ball into the bottom right corner to make it 2-1 with the last kick of the first half.
HALF TIME: Leeds United U18 1-2 Sunderland U18
Rob Etherington’s side started the second half in much better fashion than the first, dominating possession. However, neither team could create clear cut chances for extended periods.
This was the story of the second half, right up until the 86th minute, where Callum Mills and substitute Joseph Bhaskaran linked up well to get the ball to the edge of the Sunderland box.
Mills then used some skilful footwork to get a yard of space, before playing in White who slid the ball into the bottom right corner to yet again bring his side level!
Following this, it was a frantic end to the game as both sides held belief they could go on and win it, however again, neither created a clear chance and referee Bradley Triffitt blew the whistle for full-time with the score still 2-2.
Leeds will look at this game in a positive light, as they faced lengthy spells of pressure where they stood firm. At the other end, some sharp finishing when the opportunities arose saw the points shared at Thorp Arch.
Next week, the side are on the road, taking on Nottingham Forest at the Nigel Doughty Academy.
FULL-TIME: Leeds United U18 2-2 Sunderland U18
