U18 Premier League North

Leeds United 4 (Coleman 4’, Andreucci 30, 64’, Buchan 47’)

Middlesbrough 1 (Bridge 39’)

Leeds: Ombang (GK) (Baird 46’), McGrath, Ferguson, Spencer, Moore (C), Debayo, Snowdon (Richards 60’), Coleman, Andreucci, Buchan (Douglas 80’), Godden (Carole 46’) Subs not used: Toulson.

Boro: Bulmer (GK), Wallace-Ming, Marshall (Lennon 46’), Gitali, Lindo, Whelan (C), MacCarthy, Traore, John, Bridge, Howells. Subs not used: Costello, Fisher, Evans.

Venue: Thorp Arch

Referee: S. Clayton

Booked: Buchan, McGrath (Leeds) Marshall, Traore (Boro)

Sent off: Spencer (Leeds) Traore, Lindo (Boro)

Leeds United’s Under-18s ended their campaign with a 4-1 victory over Middlesbrough, in a battling encounter at Thorp Arch. Cian Coleman, two from Ben Andreucci and Jay Buchan scored the goals for Leeds to claim the three points.

The hosts got off to a lightning-fast start and were ahead after just four minutes! Ronnie McGrath won a free kick which Morten Spencer stepped up to take, he whipped in a dangerous delivery, and Coleman was there to flick it into the far corner.

Set pieces were proving to be dangerous for Leeds and this time it was Scott Godden who put in a beautiful corner towards the back post. Kris Moore was there unmarked but could only head over from close range.

The visitors were presented with their first real opportunity on the 25-minute mark. A mistake at the back led to an opening for Max Howells, but Daryll Ombang in the United net was quick off his line to close the angle and prevent him from scoring.

The Whites deservedly doubled their lead inside 30 minutes. Middlesbrough gave the ball away in a dangerous position and this allowed Joe Snowdon to drive into space, he played the ball across to Andreucci and the striker found the top corner with a delightful curling effort from the edge of the box.

The away side dragged a goal back just before half time. Yacouba Traore was tripped inside the area, and his side were awarded a penalty. Aiden Bridge stepped up to take and placed it into the bottom left corner to reduce the deficit.

HALF TIME: Leeds United 2-1 Middlesbrough

Leeds started the second half well and got off to the perfect start, substitute Keenan Carole delivered a dangerous cross and Buchan was there to glance it into the far corner, putting Leeds 3-1 up.

Andreucci got his second of the afternoon and made it 4-1 to Leeds with a little less than 25 minutes to play. A long ball from Cian Coleman over the top left Andreucci and Frankie Whelan in a foot race, which the Leeds striker won, creating a one-on-one with the keeper. He sent the Boro stopper the wrong way and calmly slotted the ball into the bottom left corner to make it four!

The game then became feisty and the first red card of three was shown to Yacouba Traore in the 72^nd minute. Andreucci got away from his man and Traore brought him down on the edge of the box, leaving the referee with no other option than to award him his second yellow of the afternoon.

Just eight minutes later the referee awarded two more red cards. Morten Spencer and Alfonso Lindo were both given their marching orders after an off the ball incident involving the pair.

The rest of the game played out without incident and this fantastic result means that Leeds finish their 2021/22 Premier League North campaign in 9^th position on 34 points. 

FULL TIME: Leeds United 4-1 Middlesbrough

𝗥𝗲𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁: #LUFC U18s defeated Middlesbrough 4-1 in their final game of the season. Andreucci grabbed a brace, with Coleman and Buchan also adding their names to the scoresheet pic.twitter.com/mEhBCEt5bI

— Leeds United (@LUFC) May 7, 2022