U18 Premier League North

Wolverhampton Wanderers U18 1 (Ballard-Matthews 69’)

Leeds United U18 1 (Rawlings OG 52’)

Wolves: Gracey (GK), Dayman, Osifo (Lochhead 58’), White, Olagunju, Rawlings, Ballard-Matthews, O’Donnell, Mané, McLeod (Bowen 58’), Minkyu (Marwa 78’). Subs not used: Arnold, Wilcox.

Leeds: Grainger (GK), Firth (Hamilton 58’), Bird, Pickles, Matykiewicz, Howard, Vincent, Whitehead, Render, Mensah (Pirie 83’), Lane. Subs not used: Woolfrey, Boast, Brown.

Venue: Sir Jack Hayward Training Ground

Referee: Jack Shepherd

Booked: Ballard-Matthews (Wolves) Pickles (Leeds)

Leeds United Under-18s put in a well-rounded performance on the road to earn a deserved point away against Wolverhampton Wanderers Under-18s.

After a moment of silence was observed by both sides prior to kick off ahead of Remembrance Sunday, action got underway at the Sir Jack Hayward Training Centre with early chances falling to Whites' wingers Freddie Lane and Harvey Vincent, who were finding joy on the flanks for the visitors.

Play out wide was crucial for either side on the afternoon as a congested middle of the park led to numerous physical battles, which were allowed to continue as referee Jack Shepherd looked to let the game flow.

Lane and Vincent produced some fine passages of play in the opening quarter of an hour with only the final ball alluding the Whites as they looked to reap the rewards of their strong start.

Leeds looked to capitalise on their positive progressive football, whilst winning the ball back quickly and playing on the front foot. Rob Etherington’s side had complete control of the opening stages with all but one opportunity falling for themselves.

Captain Coban Bird provided attacking prowess for the Whites at left back, powering down the touchline linking up well with Vincent and Loui Whitehead in the middle. Going for goal from distance, Bird struck an effort sweetly, but his strike rose narrowly over the bar.

The 40-minute mark again saw the impressive Vincent involved, getting the better of his opposing left back once again. Surging to the area, the attacker crossed towards the onrushing Jacob Render, but alert goalkeeping from Jack Gracey smothered the danger for the hosts.

Despite the relentless United pressure, Wolves went close through striker Mateus Mané who found space inside the area but was unable to make meaningful contact with his attempted half volley, trickling into the gloves of a relieved Owen Grainger.

The Whites’ football continued to be free-flowing and expansive approaching the break, with some stylish attacking passages on display, though unable to find the opener, the sides went into the break all square.

HALF TIME: Wolverhampton Wanderers U18 0-0 Leeds United U18

Looking to replicate the fine first half performance, the Whites came out strived to go one better.

Eight minutes in and Leeds finally broke the deadlock. Lane looked to take on his opposite number and did so successfully, racing towards a backtracking Wolves defence and cutting inside before unleashing a strike which deflected off defender Luke Rawlings, wrong footing Gracey in goal to take a deserved lead.

The hosts responded well to going behind however and replied with a succession of chances of their own, though nothing that the Leeds back line couldn’t deal with.

Brave goalkeeping from Grainger saw the young stopper rush out of his goal to close the angle and deny Mané superbly well to keep his side in the lead.

With momentum building for the home team, there was nothing Grainger could do to prevent the equaliser from coming, with just over 20 minutes of time remaining. A curling ball in the box from the right wing met the head of Emilio Ballard-Matthews who powered home to level proceedings.

What was a display of dangerous attacking football from Leeds shifted to a resolute and disciplined defensive performance, diffusing any opportunities for the hosts who searched for a late winner.

United’s backline stood firm, limiting Wolves to very little chances, a few of which tested Grainger; those that did were comfortably answered.

Leeds saw out the closing stages to take a point back to West Yorkshire, in what had been a positive performance that could have seen the youthful side take all three.

FULL TIME: Wolverhampton Wanderers U18 1-1 Leeds United U18