U18 Premier League North
Stoke City U18 5 (Nzau 13’, 52’; Liu 27’, 52’; Bailey pen 55’)
Leeds United U18 1 (Pirie 10’)
Leeds: Wood (GK), Dudley, Lane, Simo (Njinko 57’), Howard, Matykiewicz, Pirie, Morris, Boast, Brockie (C) (Chinyowa 85’), Alker (Thompson 57’). Subs not used: Woolfrey (GK), Megson.
Venue: Clayton Wood Training Ground
Referee: Aaron Hallam
Booked: Pirie
Rob Etherington’s Leeds United Under-18s fell to defeat as they travelled to face Stoke City Under-18s on Saturday, with a frantic five minutes in the second half the deciding factor on the day.
As had been the case in previous matches so far this campaign, the opening stages of the game saw the young Whites dominate possession and control the tempo, imposing their dynamic passages of play to create opportunities and causing all sorts of problems in midfield for the Potters.
It was the visitors’ who deservedly took the lead through Lewis Pirie on the 10-minute mark. A well-timed run in behind left the forward one-on-one with Michael Zietzen in the Stoke goal, who he beat to the ball and expertly poked home into the bottom left corner.
After a promising start made by Leeds, the home side equalised against the run of play. Pedro Nzau scored for the Potters, tapping home Connor Day’s delivery at the back post to level proceedings.
The high tempo of the game failed to let up at any point and neither side were allowed time in possession, with Stoke midfielder Syd Agina then capitalising on a loose ball and playing teammate Ryan Liu through who made no mistake to put Stoke into the lead.
Etherington’s side adapted well to the setback and would have gone into the break level if not for Zietzen, after he saved superbly to deny Oliver Boast moments before the half-time whistle sounded.
HALF TIME: Stoke City U18 2-1 Leeds United U18
As expected, Etherington had his side come out with a point to prove and an immediate improvement of composure on the ball was evident. Skipper Devon Brockie was playing with newfound space through the middle as Leeds looked the most likely to score the next goal.
It was déjà vu for the travelling side however, who after doing everything to try grab an equaliser, found themselves falling further behind with Liu slotting in his second goal of the afternoon.
Just moments later, the hosts extended their lead when Nzau also claimed his second of the match. A carbon copy of his first goal, the forward found space at the back post to meet an inviting ball from Day on the wing.
The points were wrapped up when Lewis Bailey won a penalty, before getting to his feet to confidently slot home from the spot beyond Oliver Wood in the Leeds goal.
The remainder of the game saw the Whites pushing to reduce the deficit with chances falling to Brockie and Jack Morris, but Zietzen’s impressive afternoon continued for the hosts who saw the game out well.
Etherington’s side have a chance to bounce back next weekend as they welcome Liverpool U18s to Thorp Arch.
FULL TIME: Stoke City U18 5-1 Leeds United U18
