U18 Premier League North
Leeds United U18 0
Blackburn Rovers U18 1 (Livesey 55’)
Leeds United U18: Banks (GK), Walker, Balmer, Whitehead, Megson, Mensah, Heywood, Bhaskaran ©, Njinko, Ibrovic-Fletcher, Morrall (Mexes 71’). Subs not used: Wood (GK), Hazell-Schofield, Alker, Hitchen, Dyson.
Blackburn U18: Holt (GK), Pitt, Low, Leech, Mcllroy (Wardak 45’) (C), Walls, Clanford (Chimpango 45’), Fletcher, Livesey (McCoy 60’), Lister (Mowbray 60’), Whiffing (Cepas 75’). Subs not used: Garside (GK), Ubah.
Venue: Thorp Arch | Referee: Darius Bradley | Booked: Mcllroy (Blackburn) | Sent-off: Mensah (Leeds)
Leeds United Under-18s suffered a narrow 1-0 defeat at Thorp Arch to Blackburn Rovers Under-18s, following a second-half header from Ty Livesey.
Bright sunshine and spells of heavy rain set the scene as Rob Etherington’s side, in their all-white kit, looked to respond after Saturday’s defeat in this midweek fixture against Blackburn.
It was a high-intensity start from the visitors as Ethan Low found an early opening on the left before whipping a cross into the box. However, Liam Balmer was well positioned to head away for a corner, which George Banks claimed confidently.
Carrick Njinko picked up possession on the right flank and looked to create an opening by cutting inside onto his left foot. His quick footwork unsettled the defenders and created an opening on the edge of the box but the forward's left-footed strike travelled just wide of the right-hand post.
Approaching the 15-minute mark, Blackburn looked to counter through Harry Lister, but Miller Megson slowed the attacker down well allowed Marlon Mensah to recover and make the tackle.
Joseph Bhaskaran then picked up the ball from a Blackburn throw-in to turn over possession in the visitors' final third, allowing Njinko to pounce on the loose ball. Alfie McIlroy attempted to make a intercept but brought down the Leeds attacker on the edge of the box.
Balmer stepped up to take the free-kick, whipping a left-footed shot over the wall and away from the outstretched goalkeeper, only to see his effort rattle the crossbar just before the 20-minute mark.
Bhaskaran split the Blackburn defence with a pass through to Owen Heywood, who found himself one-on-one with the goalkeeper. However, his shot was too close to Harry Holt, who was able to gather the ball comfortably.
Charlie Clanford picked up a loose pass from the Leeds backline and accelerated towards goal, aiming for the front post, but the United defence recovered well to force a corner. The resulting delivery found a red shirt in a crowded penalty area and a header was directed goalwards, forcing Banks into action as he dived to his right and palmed the ball away.
It was another good battle between Njinko and McIlroy as the Leeds attacker spun the defender on the edge of the box and looked to get a shot away. However, the Blackburn No.5 recovered well to make a last-ditch tackle and deflect the ball behind for a corner.
Njinko then spun away from his marker in midfield and drove into the open space ahead of him. Kai Morrall made a driving run down the left, which Njinko picked out with a pass. He advanced towards goal and drilled a low shot, but the goalkeeper was down quickly to his left to collect.
Despite the home side showing promising signs throughout the first half, the clash remained goalless heading into the break.
HALF TIME: Leeds United U18 0-0 Blackburn Rovers U18
Leeds looked to take the lead shortly after the restart. Within five minutes, Joseph Bhaskaran tested Holt just inside the penalty area, but the ball failed to fall kindly for a white shirt to capitalise on the rebound.
Heywood, Loui Whitehead and Alfie Walker then linked up with a good passage of play on the right, allowing Walker to whip in a cross. However, it was slightly overhit and evaded the waiting Njinko in the box.
Blackburn responded by creating an opening of their own as Theo Pitt whipped a cross towards the back post, where Livesey rose highest and headed goalwards. His effort clipped the underside of the crossbar and went in, giving the visitors the lead.
Blackburn substitute Archie McCoy found space just inside the Leeds half before launching a long ball into the penalty area, where Theo Chimpango met it with a header. He directed the ball downwards, making it awkward for Banks, but the goalkeeper was still able to make the save and maintain possession.
Leeds looked to respond with a substitution of their own as winger Silva Mexes made an impressive run into the box and won his side a corner. Unfortunately, United were unable to capitalise on the opportunity created by the replacement and the corner was cleared away.
Next, Blackburn threatened to double their lead with a free-kick on the edge of the box. McCoy stepped up and whipped the ball over the wall, but Banks moved his feet quickly before diving to his left and tipping the effort onto the post with an outstretched hand.
The ball ricocheted off the post and into the path of Charlie Fletcher, who looked to score into the open net but blazed his effort high over the crossbar.
Leeds were unable to find an equaliser and suffered defeat as referee Darius Bradley brought the game to a close. The young Whites will now turn their attention to the end of November, when they return to league action away at Newcastle United Under-18s.
FULL TIME: Leeds United U18 0-1 Blackburn Rovers U18
