U18 Premier League North
Leeds United U18 2 (Boast 50’, Bird 65’)
Everton U18 4 (Clarke 22’, 34’, 54’, 64’ pen)
Leeds: Wood (GK), Firth (Philpott 64’), Bird (C), Whitehead, Howard, Matykiewicz (Simo 64’), Pirie, Pickles, Boast (Brockie 63’), Mills, White. Subs not used: Woolfrey (GK), Njinko.
Everton: Paloma (GK), Finney, Van Schoor (Poland 72’), Davis, Gardner, Foster, Stewart, Akarakiri, Clarke (Freedman 86’), Olayiwola (Matos 77’), Wren. Subs not used: Forsyth (GK), Freedman.
Venue: Thorp Arch
Referee: Mark Reeves
Booked: Howard (Leeds) Van Schoor, Olayiwola, Finney (Everton)
Leeds United Under-18s were beaten at Throp Arch on Tuesday afternoon, despite a strong display of football throughout the encounter which left the team feeling they could have taken more from the game.
Likewise to the weather, the Whites started the clash in a bright fashion by retaining the share of possession and producing some intricate passages of play in an attempt to break down the Everton defence.
Leeds were lively, as was Oliver Pickles who turned over the ball in the middle of the park cleverly, before spraying it out wide to captain Coban Bird who unleashed the first attempt at goal on the afternoon, testing toffees shot stopper Adam-Seve Paloma.
On the opposite flank, Will Firth and Lewis Pirie were collaborating well down the touchline and causing all sorts of problems for the Everton back line. So much that an early booking for Josh Van Schoor was the only resolution to obstructing Leeds from taking the lead.
With the Whites attacking from all areas, Bird was finding joy in the early proceedings down the left hand side. Arriving right on time on the end of a looping free-kick, the left back lashed a perfectly connected effort just wide of the bottom right post.
After limiting the Toffees to no clear-cut opportunities so far after 20 minutes of the game, the visitors then used their first chance to strike first. Completely against the run of play, a counterattack saw Justin Clarke break free and slot the ball beyond Oliver Wood who was yet to be challenged prior to the goal.
Wood was however called into action as the away side began to create some momentum. A fine save to deny Kean Wren kept the deficit to just one, rushing out well and parrying the ball to safety.
Whilst having a grip of the game for the first time in the afternoon, Everton made the most of a dangerous spell as Clarke scored his second of the game by firing a low driven shot beneath the grasp of Wood who was unlucky to be beaten.
Leeds threw everything at the Blues back line in order to reduce the deficit before the interval. Logan White came close after forcing a fine stop from Paloma, sprawling himself across the goal line. As well as Pickles alarming the number 1 shortly after, blazing a strike which unfortunately whipped around the wrong side of the post.
The final opportunity in the first 45 minutes landed at the feet of Oliver Boast who had his shot blocked on the stroke of the interval, where Etherington’s side would be going in feeling hard done by after a strong first half showing.
HALF TIME: Leeds United U18 0-2 Everton U18
The hosts emerged unchanged, rejuvenated and energised. And within five minutes of play being restarted found themselves just one behind, through Boast.
A well worked attack with Pickles at the heart, spreading the ball out wide to White who lashed a dangerous cross along the six-yard box found the feet of the oncoming number 9, who poked the ball home, halving the difference between the sides.
In familiar fashion, just as Leeds were in full flow surging towards a leveller, Clarke found a third for Everton. Some fortunate events meant the ball landed perfectly at the strikers’ feet who made no error in finishing, to give some comfort to the visitors.
Refusing to submit, Leeds went again. Pickles fired wide from a volley which alarmed Paloma between the sticks, before an offside flag would deny Boast who was well placed in the box, after Pirie had also previously had an effort of his own.
Just over the hour-mark, Everton extended their lead. It was Clarke again, who converted from 12-yards to extend the lead following the award of a penalty to the visitors.
The Leeds response came from Bird. Following up an initial shot from substitute Devon Brockie who made an impact, the ball fell kindly to the captain who struck into the roof of the net from close range, giving the hosts another lifeline.
However, despite their best efforts to get back level in the game, proceedings came to a close with the away side taking the points in a clash where the scoreline certainly didn’t reflect the performance.
FULL TIME: Leeds United U18 2-4 Everton U18
