U18 Premier League North

Stoke City U18 2 (Nzau 54’, 62’)

Leeds United U18 1 (Morris 43’)

Stoke: Knight (GK), Frost, Phillips, Harrison, Mcwilliams, Eyaife, Nzau (c), Liu, Bailey (Kelly 65’), Midwood (Lloyd 79’), Fearn (Khan 74’). Subs not used: Chivers, Nieuwoudt.

Leeds: Wood (GK), Firth (c), Philpott (Thompson 72’), Whitehead, Simo, Howard, Njinko (Bennett 62’), Mills (Alker 72’), Morris, Mensah, White. Subs not used: Cook, Watson.

Referee: Jake Burton

Booked: Harrison, Frost, Eyaife (Stoke) Morris, Whitehead, Howard, Firth (Leeds)

Sent-off: Harrison (Stoke)

Venue: Clayton Wood

Under an unrelentingly miserable West Midlands sky, Rob Etherington’s young Whites suffered defeat at the hands of Stoke City Under-18s, despite taking the lead just before half-time.

His side came into the game having won two, drawn one and lost one in the opening four games which represented a bright start to the campaign.

When this one got underway, Stoke had the best early chances in the first half, but it was Leeds who drew first blood when Jack Morris found space in the box to drive a shot into the bottom left corner of the goal.

Although Leeds struggled to get the ball in dominant positions, they made a good account of themselves defensively, with ‘keeper Oliver Wood flying off his wrong foot to make a superb save after just seven minutes.

As well as this stop, all four defenders, and Wood, combined to prevent Stoke equalising just a minute after the visitors went ahead.

No further chances arrived before the break and after a positive opening 45 minutes, Etherington’s side went in with a goal advantage away from home.

HALF TIME: Stoke City 0-1 Leeds United

The second half carried on in much the same way as the first, with the young Whites looking to break down a resolute Stoke side. The game also became scrappier and scrappier as it went on, with eight players entering the referees notebook.

Searching for the equaliser, and finding one, the Potters won back possession in the Leeds box and Pedro Nzau curled the ball first time into the goal after 54 minutes.

Nzau then doubled his tally just after the hour mark by striking a superb half-volley into the top right corner of the Leeds net. With the turnaround complete, Stoke began to drop back, allowing Leeds more time on the ball.

Leeds struggled to break down the physical low block implemented by Stoke, with the defenders keeping themselves well organised and making tactical fouls whenever the Leeds players looked to break past.

A perfect example of this was when Stoke defender Max Harrison was shown a red card a minute into injury time for a second bookable offence, within five minutes of getting his first yellow.

However, Leeds still could not find a way through, and the game ended 2-1 in favour of the home side which meant it was a disappointing defeat for the travelling Whites, who have been in fine form since their victory against Derby County on matchday two.

Etherington’s side will look to bounce back next week when they will take on Liverpool at Thorp Arch.

FULL TIME: Stoke City 2-1 Leeds United