U18 Premier League North

Manchester City 6 (Alleyne 14’, Ndala 19’, 72’, Ogwuru 34’, 58’, O’Reilly 88’)

Leeds United 2 (Coleman 45’, Thomas 74’)

City: Murray-Jones (GK), Carrington, Simpson-Pusey (Okeke 68’), Alleyne, Galvez, Gray (Alfa-Ruprecht 83’), Oboavwoduo, O’Reilly (C), Ogwuru (Heskey 82’), Whittingham (Harrison 68’), Ndala. Subs not used: Grant.

Leeds: Ombang (GK), Buchan, Ferguson (Creswell 24’), Coleman (C), Toulson, Dawber (Chambers 46’), Douglas, Crew, Andreucci (Vincent 12’), Thomas, Wilson (Chaplin 80’). Subs not used: Mahady.

Venue: City Football Academy

Booked: Coleman, Dawber, Douglas, Buchan (Leeds)

Leeds United Under-18s were defeated away at Manchester City on a tough afternoon at the City Football Academy.

It was the Whites who had the better start though, after Cian Coleman was tripped on the edge of the area, winning a free kick in a dangerous position. Luca Thomas whipped a left footed strike over the wall but could only see his effort cannon off the post.

The hosts then grew into the game and started taking control, as they took the lead on the 14th minute. A well worked short corner routine allowed Matthew Whittingham to lay it off to Max Alleyne, and his close-range effort sneaked in at the near post.

Just five minutes later the hosts doubled their lead. City hit Leeds with a fast counterattack, Whittingham played it to Joel Ndala, and his first-time strike went into the bottom corner.

The visitors started to enjoy their best spell of the game, getting into some dangerous positions, and pressing high, but that high press was costly as the home side added a third goal on the counterattack. Tomas Galvez unselfishly played the ball across to Dan Ogwuru, and he had an empty net to tap into.

Minutes before the half time whistle Leeds pulled a goal back. A lovely one-two between Coleman and substitute Harvey Vincent saw Coleman then unleash a powerful strike into the roof of the net, from just inside the box, leaving George Murray-Jones with no chance.

HALF TIME: Manchester City 3-1 Leeds United

Leeds started the second half well and had a lot more control in the game, but were struggling to create any real chances.

Just short of the hour mark, City had their fourth of the afternoon. Whittingham played a ball in behind the defence, Ogwuru latched on to it, and despite a strong hand from Darryl Ombang, Ogwurus effort trickled over the goal line.

The visitors were still pressing high up the pitch and nearly reduced the deficit just minutes later. A lovely reverse pass from Connor Bradley put Coleman through on goal, but his effort was saved well by Murray-Jones.

In the 72nd minute City made it 5-1. Ndala latched onto a mistake at the back and slotted the ball into the bottom corner to all-but seal the points.

Leeds hit back instantly though, as Vincent was brought down in the area, and the referee awarded a penalty. Thomas stepped up to take it and whipped it into the bottom right corner sending the keeper the wrong way.

In the latter stages of the game the hosts wrapped up the win, adding their sixth goal of the afternoon. Another mistake at the back allowed Alfie Harrison to lay it off to Nico O’Reilly, who made no mistake from eight yards out.

This result leaves Leeds 6th in the league and Scott Gardner’s side will look to hit back next week away at Middlesbrough.

FULL TIME: Manchester City 6-2 Leeds United