U18s Premier League North

Newcastle United 1 (Donaldson 52’)

Leeds United 1 (Thomas 39’)

Newcastle: Thompson (GK), Cooper (Powell 66’), Beresford, Stanton, Barclay, Powell, Miley, Miley, Ndiweni, Donaldson (Emerson 82), Crossley. Subs not used: Green, Bessent, Parkinson.

Leeds: Christy (GK), Diboe (Spencer 45’), Ferguson, Snowdon, Moore, Coleman, McGrath (Carole 58’), Allen, Joseph, Gray, Thomas. Subs not used: Baird, Littlewood, Bradbury.

Venue: Newcastle United Academy

Booked: Emerson (Newcastle) Allen, Snowdon, Moore (Leeds)

Leeds United picked up a point on a blustery day on Tyneside. The Whites came into the game looking to win back-to-back matches after their great victory against Derby last time out, whilst Newcastle were without a win in 11 league games.

Despite their tough run of form, it was Newcastle who started the faster in the difficult conditions. The first real chance of the game came in the 20^th minute when Lewis Miley beat his man on the right-hand side and unleashed a low shot, but Harry Christy produced a superb save to tip it around the post.

Scott Gardner’s side started to build into the game and it wasn’t long until they had their first chance. A switch of play saw Ronnie McGrath take the ball down excellently and lay off to Spanish striker Mateo Joseph, who could only volley his effort into the hands of the ‘keeper.

The Whites then took the lead just before half time when Joe Snowdon played a long ball over the top which found Luca Thomas. The forward took the ball down brilliantly and cut in from the right-hand side, taking it past two Newcastle defenders. He then unleashed a low-driven shot into the bottom corner, to put Leeds ahead and get his ninth goal of the season.

Shortly after, the Magpies were awarded a penalty when a spinning ball was adjudged to have hit the hand of Snowdon.

Michael Ndiweni stepped up to take it and hit a strong shot to the left-hand corner, but Christy produced a magnificent one-handed save to keep it out and maintain the advantage for Leeds.

Just before the interval, Christy was called into action again when Newcastle had a free kick on the edge of the box, but once again the Whites keeper showed superb ability to reach at full stretch and tip the effort around the post.

HALF TIME: Newcastle United 0-1 Leeds United

Straight after the break, the home side did level the score when Miley found space down the right-hand side and played a low cross that found Josh Donaldson, who then had time to take a touch and place his shot into the back of the net.

Christy continued to impress in the Leeds goal when Kyle Crossley whipped in a dangerous ball to the back post where Miley leaped the highest and directed his header towards the bottom corner, but the Leeds keeper produced another fantastic save to keep the sides level in what was becoming a really impressive display.

After an even second half, Leeds thought they had taken the lead in the final moments when Joseph found himself in acres of space inside the box and hit a curling effort into the back of the net, but the linesman ruled him offside.

The Whites were pushing further for a winner in added time and they came so close to finding it after they worked the ball well to top scorer Thomas. He hit a thunderous strike towards Max Thompson but he saved well.

The rebound had fallen kindly to Joseph, who struck a first-time effort goalwards, forcing the Magpies keeper to produce a fantastic save by tipping it over the crossbar to deny Leeds a winner.

This result leaves Gardner’s side 9^th in the table ahead of their away clash with Everton next week, whilst the draw keeps Newcastle bottom of the table.

FULL TIME: Newcastle United 1-1 Leeds United