FA Youth Cup Third Round

Leeds United 3 (McFadden 45’, Wilson 56’, Andreucci 90’ pen)

Accrington Stanley 2 (Massey 10’, Harper 23’)

Leeds: Ombang (GK), Diboe, Ferguson, Crew, Debayo, Buchan, Douglas (McGrath 78’), Coleman (C), Andreucci, McFadden, Wilson. Subs not used: Mahady (GK), Lopata-White, Toulson, Richards, Cresswell, Brown.

Accrington: Clayton (GK), Monk, Newton, Hall, Pickles (C), Young, Henderson, Poilly, Massey (Devonport 89’), Trickett, Harper. Subs not used: Riva (GK), Kelly, Lawton, Smith, Gough, Procter. 

Venue: Thorp Arch

Referee: Joe Cunningham 

Booked: Wilson (Leeds) Hall (Accrington) 

Leeds United’s Under-18s progressed to the FA Youth Cup fourth round after coming from two goals down, to beat Accrington Stanley in this third round clash. 

The Whites were behind in the first half after a slow start, but recovered well to turn the game around and set up a clash with AFC Wimbledon in the next round.  

Coming into the match, Accrington had been in fine form in the early stages of the competition and showed they had goals in their team. That form was evident early on as they began the stronger of the two, under the floodlights of Thorp Arch. 

An early big chance fell the way of the visitors, but Lewis Trickett was unable to convert from three yards out, slicing his close-range effort well over the bar. That was an early let-off, but also a sign of things to come in the first half. 

Just six minutes later, Stanley went ahead. Jack Massey picked up the ball on the right and struck low, right-footed, beyond Darryl Ombang into the bottom corner to put the Reds a goal ahead. 

Connor Douglas had seen his strike saved by Max Clayton down the opposite end, which would be the first in a string of fine saves from the visiting ‘keeper. 

With 23 minutes on the clock, Accrington scored again, with a superb strike from Calvin Harper. He saw an opportunity to hit a dipping volley from 25-yards out and did just that, looping it over the ‘keeper and into the back of the net to make it two. 

Leeds then came into the game more and had plenty of possession, however, Clayton was denying anything shot at him between the posts for the away side as they clung onto their lead.  

That was until just before half-time, when the ‘keeper was left with no chance. Max McFadden stepped up and struck a free-kick at goal, then via a deflection off the wall, the ball found the back of the net to get Leeds back into the match before the interval.  

HALF TIME: Leeds United 1-2 Accrington Stanley

Both teams came out unchanged for the second half and Scott Gardner was looking for his side to respond to a difficult first 45 minutes, and they did just that, going on to dominate for the majority. 

The goal before the break had given the Whites hope of a comeback and within 10 minutes of the restart, they were level. McFadden was involved again, whipping a corner into the box and finding the head of Marley Wilson who did well to turn the ball home. 

Both Wilson and then captain, Cian Coleman were continuing to look lively and forced further saves from Clayton, as Gardner’s side began to dominate. 

A feisty encounter was an entertaining one, with both teams intent on winning the game and progressing to the next round. 

Clayton - Accrington’s busiest and most impressive performer on the night - was forced into further good stops. This time he denied James Debayo’s header when he looked almost certain to score. 

Leeds wouldn’t be denied a winner in the final few minutes, though, as the pressure paid off. A late challenge in the box when the Whites were pushing forward saw the referee award a spot-kick to the home side.

Up stepped top scorer Ben Andreucci and he calmly, with quality, slotted home by sending the goalkeeper the wrong way and completing an impressive turnaround, making it 3-2.

The Whites had to endure six minutes of added time as the visitors threw everyone and everything forward. However, they stood firm and came away with the victory to progress into the fourth round. 

FULL TIME: Leeds United 3-2 Accrington Stanley