U18s Premier League North

Manchester City 3 (Mebude 9’, Adam 50’, 68’)

Leeds United 3 (Bradbury 15’, 88’, Wilson 72’)

Man City: Murray-Jones, Lewis (c), Samuel, Smith, Galvez, Susoho, Mebude, Breckin, Ogwuru, Adam, Barrington. Subs not used: Alleyne, McNamara, Whittingham, Smith, Heskey

Leeds: Christy (GK), Sutcliffe, Godden, Coleman, Littlewood, Debayo, Picksley, Buchan, Wilson (Richard 82'), Bradbury, Carole. Subs not used: Ombang, Diboe, Douglas, Lopata-White. 

Leeds United Under 18s went in to Saturday’s match against Manchester City looking to continue recent good form, on their return to action following the international break. 

The Whites had comfortably beaten Newcastle United on home turf last time out, whilst gaining a solid point away at table-topping Blackburn Rovers the week before.  

For City, the aim was to close the gap on Blackburn at the top with three points, as the second placed side were six points behind the leaders before play began but did have two games in hand. 

Scott Gardner’s side were behind inside the opening 10 minutes at the City Football Academy. Following a quick counter-attack, Dire Mebude found space in the area to slide the ball underneath Harry Christy in the Leeds goal to give his side the lead. 

The Whites reacted superbly though and were level moments later. Marley Wilson produced the assist for Lui Bradbury, who showed composure in the City box to fire into the back of the net and get his third of the campaign. 

In what had been a fast-paced opening to the match, Christy was then called into action as he made a good save to deny Dan Ogwuru’s strike on goal. The ‘keeper was required again before the interval, this time a double save from the lively Mebude and then from Luca Barrington. 

Just moments before the half-time whistle, a slip in the City defence saw Wilson steal the ball and hit a low effort on goal, which came cannoning back off the post, before Bradbury also put the ball narrowly wide in what had been an evenly contested half in Manchester. 

HALF TIME: Manchester City 1-1 Leeds United

Five minutes into the second half, the home side regained the lead. Josh Adam was alive in the box and as the ball dropped to him, he had the easy task of poking home at close range to put City back ahead. 

The Whites continued to press forward and search for the equaliser, in what had been a relatively even game throughout. Wilson was continuing to look dangerous linking up with Bradbury in attack, whilst Jay Buchan went close by firing over from range. 

Manchester City extended their lead with just over 20 minutes remaining. A marauding run down the wing from Mebude saw the attacker get into the box and pull the ball back for Adam, to slot his second of the game and City’s third. 

Not accepting defeat, Gardner’s side were back up the pitch again after the restart and Mitch Picksley went close, forcing George Murray-Jones into a diving stop. From the resulting corner, Joe Litlewood’s header also called the ‘keeper into action.

That was a warning to the hosts and a couple of minutes later, Leeds did get a goal back. A constant threat throughout, Wilson was the player to fire home in the box, giving the goalie no chance and it was game on again. 

As the clash approached its conclusion, the Whites had refused to give up and came forward with intent. Keenan Carole ran down the wing and beat the City defence before crossing into the box, where Bradbury found space to smash into the bottom corner and complete the comeback! 

In what had been a thoroughly entertaining game from start to finish, the Whites had put in an impressive battling display and came away from the match with a more than deserved point. 

FULL TIME: Manchester City 3-3 Leeds United

Venue: City Football Academy

Referee: J. Goodwin

Booked: Lewis (Man City) Wilson, Debayo (Leeds)