U18 Premier League North
Leeds United 5 (Thomas 19’ 47’, Vincent 35’, Chaplin 50’, McGrath 80’)
Stoke City 0
Leeds: Ombang (GK), Richards, Godden, Chaplin (McGrath 61’), Toulson, Debayo (Bird 85’), McFadden, Cian Coleman (C), (Lopata-White 46’), Thomas, Crew (Billett 82’), Vincent. Subs not used: Mahady.
Stoke: Zietzen (GK), Bickerton, Dixon, Grogan (C), Griffiths, Hayder, Maskall, Mears, Sidibe, Smith, Watson. Subs not used: Simkin, Challinor, Agina, Enright.
Venue: Thorp Arch
Referee: M. Ali
This Friday night clash was the last game of the Under-18 Premier League season for the Whites. They came into the game on the back of a 1-1 draw with Nottingham Forest, whilst the visitors had been beaten 3-0 against Everton.
It was the hosts who took control of the game from the start and their early dominance paid off 20 minutes into the fixture. Scott Godden played a wonderful ball over the top of the Stoke defence and the on-running Luca Thomas was able to chip the bouncing ball over the keeper’s head and into the back of the net.
Moments later, Scott Gardner’s side looked to capitalise on their dominance when Harvey Vincent cut in off the left and dribbled across the face-off goal, before unleashing an effort goalwards but Michael Zietzen was equal to it.
Vincent did eventually double United’s lead just after the half-hour mark. It was a swift counterattack from Leeds as Thomas flicked the ball through to Vincent, who saw the gap opening in the Stoke defence and unleashed a low shot from outside the box into the bottom corner!
It was nearly three before halftime when Thomas once again cut inside, before he whipped a dangerous effort towards the top corner but it went narrowly wide. This meant that Leeds went into the break with a two-goal lead.
HALF TIME: Leeds United 2-0 Stoke City
After the interval, the Whites came out flying and added a third! It was Thomas who got the goal after being played through one on one, the striker then calmly slotted his second of the game and a third for his side!
It got better for the home side minutes later when Reece Chadwick Chaplin scored in unbelievable style. A corner was cleared to the edge of the box and Chaplin flicked the ball up with his first touch and struck a volley into the top right corner!
Gardner’s side continued their impressive display when they made It five with 10 minutes to play. Substitute Ronnie McGrath pinched the ball back high up in the Potters’ half and drove into the box, before hitting his effort into the roof of the net.
This was to be the last of the action of the game. The win meant that the Whites picked up an impressive three points on their last game of the season, which saw them finish 13th in the table.
FULL TIME: Leeds United 5-0 Stoke City
