U18 Premier League North
Nottingham Forest U18 4 (Davies 58’, 86’, 90’; Hamilton 78’)
Leeds United U18 1 (Lane 83’)
Nottingham Forest: Willows (GK), Broomes, Whiteley, Robinson, Modupe (Boulter 71’), Clarke, Daly, Bradshaw (Sanneh 80’), Brandy (Hamilton 77’), Blake (Davies 46’), Smith. Subs not used: Smith.
Leeds: Grainger (GK), Dudley (Billet 69’), Philpott, Pickles, Matykiewicz, Howard, Pirie (Njinko 63’), Brown (Simo 83’), Brockie (McDonald 34’), Morris, Lane. Subs not used: Woolfrey.
Venue: The Nigel Doughty Academy
Referee: Martin Beard
Booked: Modupe, Whiteley, Clarke (Nottingham Forest) Howard (Leeds)
Leeds United Under-18s fell to defeat in the U18 Premier League North, as they travelled to face Nottingham Forest Under-18s.
The first 45 minutes of the clash at The Nigel Doughty Academy belonged to Whites’ goalkeeper Owen Grainger.
The stopper was first called into action two minutes into the tie with a superb double save; initially with a strong hand before sticking out a foot and expertly diverting the goalbound ball wide of the far post.
The Leeds number one added to his tally three minutes later with a superb save at full-stretch, tipping over the bar as the hosts looked to take the lead from distance.
It wasn’t one-way traffic however and the Whites caused problems for the opposition. Devon Brockie came close to breaking the deadlock, with midfielder Oliver Pickles also testing the hosts’ goalkeeper Keehan Willows for the first time in the afternoon.
A back-and-forth nature continued, with half chances landing for both sides throughout the first half but neither were able to capitalise on the opportunities to put their respective sides ahead.
On the half-hour mark, an injury for forward Brockie forced a first change of the afternoon from Rob Etherington, as Josh McDonald made a return from a spell on the sidelines to make his first appearance of the season.
The half came to a close in the same fashion as it started courtesy of another fine save from Grainger, to ensure the sides went in level as referee Martin Beard brought a halt to proceedings.
HALF TIME: Nottingham Forest U18 0-0 Leeds United U18
Forest drew first blood through substitute Isaac Davies who lashed in a powerful strike from distance, finding the top corner and getting the better of goalkeeper Grainger for the first time all afternoon.
The Whites reacted to the setback positively and aggressively. An aspect of directness in attack was instant with Lleyton Brown surging through the middle, providing joy for wingers either side who were causing issues for the Forest full-backs.
Despite sustained pressure from the Whites, the hosts doubled their lead when Scott Hamilton slotted the ball into the bottom right corner to round off a quick counter-attack.
Freddie Lane ignited ideas of a comeback five minutes later for Leeds as he went through on goal and halved the deficit in composed fashion, curling the ball around Willows to set up a frantic final 20 minutes.
Unfortunately for the away side, the latter stages of the game would have to be played without Brown in the middle, who had played an integral role as his side searched for an equaliser, who was unable to continue following a knock.
With momentum for Leeds interrupted once again due to an injury, it allowed a well-struck effort from Davies to restore the two-goal lead for the hosts in the closing stages of the game.
Davies wasn’t done there however, as he claimed the match ball in stoppage time by converting from the spot after Forest were awarded a penalty on the break.
The Whites will now be wanting to take advantage of a short break in the season calendar before they turn their attention to their next clash at Thorp Arch, taking on Derby County in three weeks’ time.
FULL TIME: Nottingham Forest U18 4-1 Leeds United U18
