U18 Premier League North

Manchester United 4 (Hugill 10’, Ennis 28’, 47’, Forson 31’)

Leeds United 1 (Thomas 3’)

Man Utd: Wooster (GK), Jurado (C), Murray, Fredricson, Kambwala, Oyedele, Mather, Gore, Hugill (Norkett 69’), Mainoo (Forson 16’), Ennis (Pye 66’). Subs not used: Hanbury, Aljofree.

Leeds: Ombang (GK), Diboe, Ferguson (Godden 42’), Spencer (Wilson 59’), Littlewood, Buchan, McGrath, Coleman (C), Thomas, Snowdon, (Toulson 46’) Carole.

Venue: Carrington Training Centre

Booked: Ombang (Leeds) Gore (Manchester United)

The young Whites suffered defeat away from home against Manchester United. Leeds United came into the game unbeaten in their last four and were looking to extend this run against their rivals. The Red Devils however were without a win in their last two league games.

Scott Gardner’s side got off to an electric start when leading goal scorer Luca Thomas scored in superb style. A cross from Joe Snowdon found Thomas, who flicked the ball round his man and hit a superb volley into the corner of the net. This took the young striker to 12 goals in the league this season.

However, the hosts quickly responded thanks to Joe Hugill. Sam Mathers’ low cross found Hugill, he turned his man and unleashed a powerful strike into the roof of the net. 

Since Manchester United’s equaliser they continued to press and were on the front foot and on 28 minutes the hosts took the lead. Following some neat passing, Omari Forson found Ethan Ennis in the box and his near post effort went into the net.

Shortly after, the Reds made it 3-1. A good turn in the middle of the park from Ennis set Manchester United on the attack, he played Mather through on goal and his powerful effort was saved well by Ombang, but the rebound dropped at the feet of Forson and he tapped into an empty net.

Leeds nearly pulled a goal back just before half time. Ronnie McGrath played the ball to the goal scorer Thomas on the edge of the box, he lined up at curling effort only to see it cannon off the post shortly before the whistle went to end the opening 45 minutes of the game.

HALF TIME: Manchester United 3-1 Leeds United

Just two minutes into the second half, Ennis doubled his goal tally and made it 4-1 to the hosts, all but securing the three points. Forson’s low cross was cleared on the line but only as far as Ennis, he took a touch and finished into the bottom corner.

Leeds’ best chance of the half fell to McGrath. After a weaving run from Cian Coleman, he played it to McGrath who was just inside the box, he took a touch but could only see his effort go over the crossbar.

After a second half with very little action, Dan Gore was presented with a great opportunity to put the hosts 5-1 up, he ran through one-on-one with the keeper but could only strike his effort wide.

The disappointing result leaves the Whites 9th in the league table, and they will look to bounce back against Burnley in two weeks’ time. The win for the Reds means that they have gone up to 11^th but stay behind Leeds. 

FULL TIME: Manchester United 4-1 Leeds United