FA Youth Cup fifth round

Manchester United 1 (Hoogewerf 60)

Leeds United 0

Leeds: Skerry, Pilkington, Moore, Cresswell, Burlace, Jenkins (Bray 90+1), Kenneh, Gibbon (Galloway 71), McKinstry, Haugland (McMillan 71), Kumwenda.  Subs not used: Turner, Fewster, Shergill, Leverett.

Booked: Moore, Kumwenda, Galloway, McMillan (Leeds)

Sent off: Kumwenda (Leeds)

Referee: J. Matthews

Venue: Old Trafford

10-man Leeds United suffered a narrow defeat against Manchester United at Old Trafford in the fifth round of the FA Youth Cup.

Backed by a sold out allocation of 1,400 in the away end, Leeds had the first opportunity of the game inside eight minutes from a corner, with Henri Kumwenda’s deflected header going just narrowly wide.

Mark Jackson’s side had a great chance to go ahead in the 22^nd minute.  Jack Jenkins stole possession deep into the Manchester United half and broke into the box.  He tried to round Ondrej Mastny, but the goalkeeper got a vital touch to prevent him.  Jenkins then laid the ball off to Stuart McKinstry, but he could only fire over when well placed.

A minute later, Kumwenda again threatened, this time with a strike on the turn from the edge of the box, which went just wide.

Dillon Hoogewerf had Manchester United’s first opportunity, he cut inside and into the Leeds box before striking, but his attempt was well blocked by Cole Gibbon.

Hoogewerf threatened once more when he again cut inside, before striking form the edge of the area, forcing Cooper Skerry into a good save.

In the 32^nd minute, the hosts went close to getting a breakthrough when Hannibal Mejbri won a free kick, central 25 yards from goal.  Mark Helm stepped up to take the set piece and saw his strike hit the crossbar.

Teden Mengi then played Mejbri through on goal, but Skerry makes an unbelievable save to deny him and keep the scores level.

The home side again went close before the break, with captain Mengi driving forward, before striking just wide from 25 yards.

Half time: Manchester United 0-0 Leeds United

Leeds almost made a dream start to the second half, Kumwenda did well to hold the ball up in the Manchester United area before teeing up McKinstry, but he saw his strike well blocked.

Kumwenda then tried a half volley from the edge of the area, which wasn’t far away from finding the top corner, going just over.

At the other end, Hoogewerf beat the offside trap to go through on goal, but Charlie Cresswell raced back to make a superb challenge.

There was controversy in the 64^th minute as Leeds were reduced to 10 men.  Kumwenda, who had been booked dubiously in the first half, was shown a second yellow card for a challenge on Shola Shoretire and given his marching orders.

The hosts almost immediately took advantage of the extra man, when Charlie Wellens got to the byline and teed up the goal-scorer Hoogewerf, but he couldn’t get the better of Skerry in the Leeds goal.

Leeds were then sloppy at the back, giving the ball away to Shoretire, but he saw his attempt deflect off target.

With five minutes of regular time remaining, Helm tried his luck from distance, with his low strike going wide.

In stoppage time, Leeds threw the kitchen sink at Manchester United.  The best chance fell to Nohan Kenneh in the seventh minute of added time, when Cresswell cushioned a header into his path following a free kick, but he couldn’t find the target with his attempt, ensuring the Red Devils progressed to the next round.

Full time: Manchester United 1-0 Leeds United