U18 Premier League Cup
Leeds United 3 (Gray 9’, Wilson 57’, Chambers 77’)
Norwich City 3 (Keita 70’, og 83’, Sealey 87’)
Leeds: Grainger (GK), Richards, Bird (Billett 46’), Creswell, Lopata-White, Toulson (C), Chadwick, Wilson, Gray (Chambers 46’), Brown, McDonald. Subs not used: Mahady, Pickles, Hamilton.
Norwich: Ansen (GK), Anyoun (Simbai 78’), Ozcan, Ofori-Manteaw (Keita 46’), Renecke, Djedje, Forsyth, Bracking (Myles 46’) , Mundle-Smith (Thompson 67’), Daley (Sealey 46’), Chilvers.
Booked: Daley, Ofori-Manteaw, Renecke, Chilvers (Norwich)
Venue: Thorp Arch
Leeds United Under-18s came up against Norwich City on Saturday afternoon at Thorp Arch, in the Premier League Cup. Leeds sat in second place in their group before today’s fixture, having beaten Nottingham Forest and losing to Aston Villa.
It was the Whites who were enjoying plenty of possession in the early stages, and they made that pressure count as Harry Gray put the hosts a goal ahead.
Rhys Chadwick slipped Gray through on goal, he drove forward into the box and rifled the ball into the top corner, breaking the deadlock inside the opening 10 minutes.
It was a half which saw very few chances at either end, despite the early goal. Leeds enjoyed plenty of ball, but couldn’t really threaten Caleb Ansen in the visiting any further.
Errol Mundle-Smith had the only other effort on goal in the first half, for the Canaries. He won the ball back in a dangerous area, but he put his effort straight at Owen Grainger in the Whites net.
That meant that going into the break, Rob Etherington’s side had the lead after a well-contested first 45 minutes at Thorp Arch.
HALF TIME: Leeds United 1-0 Norwich City
Both sides made changes at the break and this really seemed to bring the game into life, as Leeds went close twice early in the half.
Dan Toulson’s acrobatic effort was hit straight at the goalkeeper and just a few minutes later, Alfie Cresswell headed over from close range.
In the 57th minute, Marley Wilson continued his fine goal scoring record as he netted his fifth goal in three games to double the hosts’ lead.
Chadwick switched the ball towards Wilson, he brought it down, cut in on his left, and drilled an effort into the bottom corner.
Norwich then went forward and pulled a goal back on the 70-minute mark. Gabriel Forsyth delivered a deep free-kick and Gabriel Keita was there at the back post, to convert.
Seven minutes later and Sam Chambers extended the lead once again for Leeds, with a wonder goal.
The midfielder hit an effort from range and it cannoned off the post and into the back of the net, to get a third for the Whites in the game.
The game wasn’t won though as the Canaries pulled a goal back again. Elliot Myles delivered a cross which wasn’t dealt with, and it eventually squirmed over the line, going down as an own-goal.
The visitors weren’t done and they drew the game level in the last few moments. Myles caused problems again, this time he delivered a corner and La’Sean Sealey was there to head home from close range.
That was to be the end of an entertaining afternoon at Thorp Arch. That point now keeps Leeds second in their U18 Premier League Cup group.
FULL TIME: Leeds United 3-3 Norwich City
