U18 Premier League North
Leeds United U18 1 (S Alker 28’)
Derby County U18 2 (Harvey 88’, Connor 90’+1)
Leeds: Banks (GK), Walker, Balmer, Whitehead (Stockton 87’), Massey, M Mensah, Heywood (Mexes 70’), Bhaskaran (C), Bennett (Ibrovic-Fletcher 59’), S Alker, K Mensah. Subs not used: Linley (GK), Hazell-Schofield, I Alker, Morrall.
Derby: O’Neil (GK), Thomas (Stokes 60’), Neal, Gill (Nessling 45’), Connor (C), Myers, Olofingbuaro, Graaf (Ward 45’), Ogedengbe, Harvey (Turner 90+5), Clarke (Feron 73’).
Venue: Thorp Arch | Referee: Ronan Coller-Booth | Booked: Balmer, Marlon Mensah, Stockton (Leeds) Nessling (Derby)
Two late second-half goals from Remi Harvey and Joseph Connor saw Leeds United Under-18s fall to defeat against Derby County Under-18s, despite having led for the majority through Sam Alker’s first-half opener.
It was a lively start from both sides but it was the visitors who registered the first shot on target inside four minutes. Harvey exploited the space in the middle of the park after beating the Whites’ press and sent Kiern Clarke away down the left flank. He laid the ball off to the edge of the box where Zacharia Graaf unleashed a shot that was saved well.
Leeds responded with a similar attack. Kenneth Mensah released Alker down the left flank in search of a one-two but Kacey Gill intervened to clear the danger. Then, the attacker’s quick feet on the edge of the box helped him evade the black shirts as he worked his way into the Rams’ penalty area. He looked poised to get a shot away but was closed down and the ball ricocheted off the Derby defender and away from goal.
Continuing to search for the opener, Kenneth Mensah took on Darnelle Thomas and effortlessly beat him before driving into the box. His right-footed effort headed towards the far corner until the keeper got down well to parry it away.
Approaching the half-hour mark, Leeds got their reward. Captain Joe Bhaskaran threaded a pass through to Alker who burst towards goal before guiding his finish beyond the keeper to give the home side a deserved lead.
Brilliant one-touch football from the young Whites on the edge of Derby’s box then created an opening for Liam Balmer on the left. He drilled a dangerous cross into the penalty area that just needed the finishing touch to double Leeds’ advantage but the Rams scrambled back to make a vital interception before the half-time whistle sounded.
HALF TIME: Leeds United U18 1-0 Derby County U18
Derby looked to respond in the opening minutes after the restart. Theo Olofingbuaro linked up with a team-mate and as a shot was sent towards the far corner, George Banks got down sharply to turn the ball around the post for a corner.
The stopper then produced an outstanding double save to keep the hosts in front. The first intervention came in a one-on-one with Clarke, as the goalkeeper’s outstretched left leg deflected the ball back into the path of the Derby attack. Banks reacted brilliantly to get back to his feet before diving to palm the follow-up away with both hands.
Derby continued to search for an equaliser, with substitute Max Nessling bringing the ball under control on the left side of the penalty area and firing narrowly wide. The visitors increased the pressure in the final five minutes, desperately searching for a leveller. An in-swinging corner found the head of Derby captain Connor but his effort sailed just over the bar.
The Rams’ late pressure eventually paid off as Harvey found himself unmarked inside the penalty area. Set up by Olofingbuaro, he fired into the bottom-right corner to draw the visitors level. The opposition then completed the turnaround in stoppage time as Connor rose highest to head Nessling’s corner home.
Despite a dominant first-half display from the young Whites, Leeds were left to rue missed opportunities as they suffered a cruel defeat. Rob Etherington’s side now turn their attention to a midweek home fixture against Blackburn Rovers U18s.
FULL TIME: Leeds United U18 1-2 Derby County U18
