U18 Premier League Cup
Leeds United 5 (Wilson 2’, Brown 26’, 34’, Thomas 37’, Crew 76’)Crystal Palace 2 (Dixon 18’, Nascimento 58’)
Leeds: Mahady (GK) (Ombang 11’), Diboe, Toulson, Coleman (C), Debayo (Creswell 46’), Buchan, McFadden (Vincent 84’), Crew, Thomas, Brown, Wilson. Subs not used: Chadwick, Dawber
Palace: Shala (GK), Barton, Williams, Bell, Grante, Jemide, Nascimento, Gibbard, Dixon, Mustapha (Cardines 46’), Socoliche (Kporha 46’). Subs not used: Hill, Agbinane, Marsh)
Venue: Thorp Arch
Booked: Creswell, Buchan (Leeds) Gibbard (Palace)
Sent off: Williams (Palace)
Scott Gardner’s side put on a five-star performance to brush aside Crystal Palace in this Under-18s Premier League Cup clash, after a clinical first half performance.
The hosts got off to a fantastic start and found themselves in the lead after two minutes. Leeds worked it well down the left side and Dan Toulson cut a ball back to Max McFadden, his effort looked to be going in, but Marley Wilson stopped it dead and converted from close range to make sure.
Palace responded well and nearly found an equaliser. Vonte Williams weaved his way into the box, crossed it into the direction of Basilio Socoliche but his close-range header was saved brilliantly by Rory Mahady.
Leeds continued to play on the front foot and press high up the pitch, and their efforts were rewarded as they regained the lead on 27 minutes. McFadden played Thomas through on goal, his effort was saved but only in the direction of Lleyton Brown, who tapped into an empty net.
Just eight minutes later, Leeds had their third of the afternoon. Some lovely one touch football on the edge of the box left the ball at Charlie Crew’s feet, he played the ball across to Brown who finished well with the outside of his boot, to get his second of the game.
Leeds continued to attack and pile the pressure on the visitors, and they were in dreamland as Luca Thomas scored the fourth of the afternoon for the Whites. Jay Buchan did well to keep a corner alive, he lofted a ball over the palace defence and Luca Thomas was there to convert.
The visitors first half went from bad to worse as Williams was sent off just before the half time whistle, for a late challenge on Crew.
HALF TIME: Leeds United Under-18s 4-1 Crystal Palace Under-18s
Despite only having 10 players, Palace started the second half well and were presented with a golden opportunity. Junior Dixon played the ball across the box to Fred Bell, but his effort cannoned off the bar from point blank range.
The visitors did then pull a goal back in the 58th minute. Dixon played a low cross towards Nascimento and he couldn’t miss from a couple of yards out, to reduce the deficit.
However, the second half was still very open and that allowed Crew to score Leeds’ fifth of the afternoon to kill off any chances of a palace come back. Thomas’ cross was headed only as far as Crew, and his deflected effort went into the back of the net.
Leeds United’s Under-18s return back to league action next week as they take on Wolverhampton Wanderers Under-18s at Thorp Arch.
FULL TIME: Leeds United Under-18s 5-2 Crystal Palace Under-18s
