U18s Premier league north

Leeds United 6 (McGrath 22’, 74’, Gray 36’, Thomas 45’, Andreucci 60’, Picksley 89’)

Burnley 1 (Smyth-Ferguson 79’)

Leeds: Christy (GK), Diboe (Picksley 54’), Spencer, Ferguson, Littlewood, Coleman (C), McGrath, Snowdon Thomas (Godden 78’), Gray (Andreucci 59’) Carole. Subs not used: Ombang (GK), Buchan.

Burnley: Casper (GK), Sweeney, Bryan (Bates 75’), Bauress (C), Olopade, James, Etaluku, Patchford, Tioffo (Pickup 45’), Vaughan (Smyth- Ferguson 59’), Behan. Subs not used: Yila-Robinson, Wane.

Venue: Thorp Arch

Booked: Sweeny, Patchford (Burnley)

Scott Gardner’s side were looking to bounce back from their recent defeat against Manchester United in this Under-18s Premier League North clash, whilst Burnley looked to continue their four-game unbeaten run at a sunny Thorp Arch.

The Whites started the game in dominant fashion with an early chance falling to Ronnie McGrath who tried to find the bottom corner from a low cross, but the Burnley keeper produced a fingertip save to keep the scores level.

It wasn’t long until Leeds opened the scoring when Luca Thomas struck a clean volley that Charlie Casper saved well, but the rebound fell to the feet of McGrath who tried to poke it home but once again the Burnley keeper kept it out, and then finally at the third time of asking McGrath found the back of the net and opened the scoring!

The early period which was full of Leeds pressure continued when McGrath could have had his second of the game. Thomas played a low ball across the goal and McGrath’s effort went over the crossbar from close range.

The Whites did deservedly get their second of the game shortly after through Archie Gray. Leeds worked the ball well down the left-hand side and when Joe Snowdon made a great overlapping run, he cut a low cross back to Gray who was in acres of space in the box and placed his effort into the back of the net.

On the stroke of half-time, Leeds showed how ruthless they can be when Kennan Carole played a smart reverse ball through to top goal scorer Thomas, who finished in emphatic style to extend the lead to three going into the break.

HALF TIME: Leeds United 3-0 Burnley

Gardner made two early changes in the second half, bringing on Mitch Picksley and Ben Andreucci. The substitutes had an instant impact when the Whites produced a quick counter-attack from a Burnley corner and Picksley played the ball across to Andreucci who turned it home for his eighth of the season.

The goals didn’t stop there for Leeds in this impressive display, when McGrath got the fifth of the game and his second on the day. The winger cut inside on the right-hand side and skipped past the Burnley defenders, giving him room to unleash a left-footed shot into the top corner.

The Clarets did get a consolation goal late in the game after a mistake in the Leeds defence presented Joe Smyth Ferguson with an open net to tap the ball in.

The goal didn’t count for much, as in the dying moments of the game Leeds worked the ball from side to side and skipper Cian Coleman slid a low cross to the feet of Picksley who finished calmly, giving Leeds their sixth of the afternoon to round off a brilliant performance from the young Whites.

The result lifts Leeds United up into 6^th place in the league ahead of their trip to Merseyside against second in the table Liverpool next up.

FULL TIME: Leeds United 6-1 Burnley