U18 Premier League North
Leeds United U18 3 (Dudley 53’, Ibrovic-Fletcher 62’, Mills 75’)
Middlesbrough U18 2 (Kakai 49’, Harrison 80’)
Leeds: Kenyon (GK), Dudley (C), Bridge, Whitehead, Hamilton (Simo 59’), Watson, Njinko (White 67’), Bhaskaran (Stockton 67’), Ibrovic-Fletcher (Bennett 75’), Mills, Mensah. Subs not used: Wood (GK).
Middlesbrough: Richardson (GK), Smith, Cole, Edmundson (Treman 73’), Martin, Ike, Harrison, Greenup (C) (Turner 66’), Kakai (Linacre 66’), Hinneh, Roberts. Subs not used: Pawlak, Hounsell. Booked: Hamilton, Whitehead, Stockton (Leeds) Harrison (Middlesbrough)
Referee: Mathew Wright
Venue: Thorp Arch
Leeds United Under-18s came from behind to secure a win 3-2 victory over Middlesbrough Under-18s at Thorp Arch, with second-half goals from Louie Dudley, Edward Ibrovic-Fletcher and Callum Mills completing the turn around.
Rays of sunshine set the scene in West Yorkshire, as Rob Etherington’s side presented an early opportunity for the away side in the opening three minutes but Leeds skipper Dudley stood firm to block a cross and divert the ball for a corner.
The resulting delivery by Lucas Harrison was drilled into the box and was met by the head of Oliver Martin, whose header sailed over the bar.
Kenneth Mensah lifted the spirits of his side after a strong tackle on Listowell Hinneh sparked a counterattack. Carrick Njinko burst down the right, accelerating into the box, and his quick feet created space for a shot but his effort was blocked by Cayden Cole for a corner.
The following set piece was lofted towards the back post where Mills was lurking however his effort was cleared away by Boro captain Issac Greenup.
Harrison later capitalised on a direct ball that split the Leeds back line and drove towards goal one-on-one but George Kenyon stood his ground and got down quickly to his right to turn the shot around the post.
Mensah and Ibrovic-Fletcher combined well down the left with the former producing a delicate flick to release his teammate down the flank. The forward arrowed a ball across the six-yard area where Njinko arrived but his effort drifted just wide.
Joseph Bhaskaran picked up a loose pass in the midfield and slipped Ibrovic-Fletcher through on goal yet Boro keeper Joseph Richardson reacted quickly to rush off his line and smother the chance. Bhaskaran was again involved on 40 minutes, linking up again with Ibrovic-Fletcher whose effort forced another save.
On the stroke of half-time, a long ball from Kenyon set Njinko down the right and his attacking run earned Leeds a corner. Njinko delivered the set piece himself but it sailed over everyone as referee Mathew Wright brought the half to a close.
HALF TIME: Leeds United U18 0-0 Middlesbrough U18
The young Whites got the second half underway but it was a nervy start, as Middlesbrough struck the post in a crowded penalty area within the opening two minutes.
The visitors built on their momentum and were soon rewarded as Harrison fed Martin down the left. His pull-back cross was met by Lucca Kakai who arrived to slot the ball into the net, giving the away side the lead.
However, the visitor’s advantage did not last long. A long ball over the top from Loui Whitehead met the run of Dudley who was able to chip the ball over the oncoming Richardson to level the game for the hosts.
Just after the hour mark, Leeds completed the turnaround through a fine individual effort from Ibrovic-Fletcher. Picking the ball up on the edge of the area, he drove into the box before firing a left-footed shot across the goalkeeper and into the bottom corner.
The goals kept coming for Leeds, as substitutes Thomas Stockton and Logan White combined to create another opening. White struck goalwards, forcing the Richardson into a save, but the rebound fell kindly for Mills who volleyed home to make it 3-1.
The game was not over yet for the Whites. With ten minutes remaining, Harrison gave the Teesiders a lifeline as his effort clipped the inside of the post and trickled into the net.
Despite the late pressure, Leeds held firm to see out the result and claim all three points at Thorp Arch, completing the league double over Boro this season.
Etherington’s side now turn their attention to Saturday’s trip to the Academy of Light, where they will face Sunderland U18s.
FULL TIME: Leeds United U18 3-2 Middlesbrough U18
