U18 Premier League North
Leeds United U18 3 (Mills 60’, Mensah 79’, Thompson 84’)
Newcastle United U18 3 (Alabi 4’, Moran 63’, Johnson 75’)
Leeds: Kenyon (GK), Firth (C), Whitehead, Matykiewicz (Watson 43’), Simo, Njinko, Mills, Morris (White 60’), Alker (Thompson 61’), Mensah, Philpott. Subs not used: Wood (GK), Bridge.
Newcastle: Mair (GK), Johnson (C), Goodbrand, Epia, Old (Moran 45’), Finneran (O’Donovan 45’), Waddani, Alabi, Hutchison (Bloomer 62’), Wooster, Seldon (Pinnington 81’). Subs not used: Anderson (GK).
Referee: Luke Hood
Booked: Goodbrand (Newcastle)
Venue: Thorp Arch
Goals from Callum Mills, Kenneth Mensah and substitute Aiden Thompson saw Leeds United Under-18s come from behind to force a draw with Newcastle United Under-18s.
The visitors drew first blood when England U17 player Sam Alabi calmly placed the ball away from a helpless George Kenyon and into the back of the net.
Following the early opener, neither side took control of the match with much of the play being focused in the middle third of the pitch away from either side’s penalty areas.
The next best opportunity fell to Newcastle’s number nine Alfie Hutchison who was nearing the edge of the Leeds penalty area on the tenth minute when he was stopped by a fantastic sliding challenge from centre back Luke Matykiewicz, keeping the score to just one-nil.
On the half-hour mark, Rob Etherington’s side made two successive breaks down the right-hand side of the pitch.
Carrick Njinko linked up with captain Will Firth to break away and attack the away side’s box, with the first chance being Leeds’ best of the game so far with a powerful shot on target that goalkeeper George Mair nearly spilled.
The second opening in as many minutes came with the same link up but this time Firth played the extra pass, finding Mensah who had his shot blocked by the resolute Magpies’ defence.
The game then quietened down again and looked to reach half time with no incident however an early enforced substitution saw Jacob Watson replace Matykiewicz.
HALF TIME: Leeds United U18 0-1 Newcastle United U18
Leeds came out and started the second half with a much higher intensity than the opening period, on top from the off.
This was rewarded on the hour mark when Mills was given time and space 25-yards out on the left-hand side of the box following a short corner routine. He curled his shot expertly into the far right corner, bringing the score level!
Parity did not last long, though, as Newcastle went up the other end and Isaac Moran put the visitors back in front after 63 minutes.
The opposition then extended their lead when captain Henry Johnson arrived at the edge of the area and struck a low drive back across goal and into the bottom left corner.
Not even five minutes later and the home side had pulled a goal back when substitute Logan White played the ball to Mills who saw his shot saved and then swiped off the line by Mair. Luckily, however, Mensah was on hand to finally tuck the ball away!
Ten minutes after going two goals behind, Etherington’s young side brought it level! Another replacement was involved for this goal as Thompson received a pass by Mills down the left-hand side of the penalty area.
He lifted the ball across goal where it squeezed into the net at the back post. It may have taken a deflection but all that matters is that it drew the hosts level!
In the dying moments, the Whites threw everything forward in search of a last-gasp winner but referee Luke Hood’s full-time whistle sounded before they could strike.
Leeds are back in action at Thorp Arch after the international break when they take on Everton.
FULL TIME: Leeds United U18 3-3 Newcastle United U18
