U18 Premier League 

Stoke City 1 (Hayder 55’)

Leeds United 6 (Brown 26’, 38’, 75’, Gorman 66’, 71’, Vincent 67’)

Stoke: Houston (GK), Dixon, Griffin, Mears, Gartside-Kelly, Agina (Anderson 46’), Maskall, Ogbebor (Enright 46’), Walker, Hayder, Adekoya (Watson 69’). Subs not used: Brammer (GK), Rattray.  

Leeds: Mahady (GK), Toulson, Chadwick, Cresswell (Matykiewicz 62’), Bird, Lopata-White, Richards, Chambers, Vincent (Pickles 75’), McDonald (46’), Brown. Subs not used: Baird (GK), Firth. 

Venue: Clayton Wood Training Ground

Referee: G. Eaton

Booked: Dixon, Griffin, Enright, Anderson (Stoke) McDonald (Leeds) 

Leeds United Under-18s began their 2023/24 campaign in style, winning emphatically away from home against Stoke City Under-18s. 

Having finished the previous season at home to Stoke and beating them 5-0 on the final day, the Whites continued their recent dominance over their opponents with another five-goal margin of victory - the highlight being an excellent hat-trick from Lleyton Brown. 

Despite a close opening period of the game, Leeds went into the lead at the Clayton Wood Training Ground in the 26th minute, with Brown getting his first from the penalty spot. The striker had won the spot-kick himself and showed composure to step up and smash it straight down the middle. 

Chances did come and go at either end but there was nothing troubling of note, which meant Scott Gardner’s side could control the ball where needed having got into the lead in the game. 

With half-time approaching, Leeds did double their advantage to take a real stronghold in the game before the interval.  

Again it was Brown with the goal, but much of the credit in the build up went to Josh McDonald to break up the pitch and then Harvey Vincent, who saw his effort well saved before Brown could slot home the rebound at close range. 

Stoke City Under-18s and Leeds United Under-18s jostle for position at a corner.

In first half-stoppage time, it was nearly three. Sam Chambers found space on the right wing and burst forward into the box but as he was about to shoot, Ben Houston between the posts for Stoke came rushing out and smothered at his feet. 

In an impressive opening 45 minutes of the new campaign, Leeds United’s Under-18s took a two-goal lead into the break.  

HALF TIME: Stoke City 0-2 Leeds United

Changes were made on both sides as they came out for the second half. Stoke made a double swap as they looked to get back into the match, whilst Leeds opted to bring on Finley Gorman in place of Josh McDonald. 

Just 10 minutes into the second period of the match, the Potters gave themselves a lifeline in the match. Dean Adekoya showed strength on the wing to win the ball, then play it inside. Ali Hayder was the recipient of the pass and he looked up, then curled home into the bottom corner from the edge of the box. 

The Whites then got back on the front foot and having come on from the bench, Gorman would make an immediate impact on the game with a five minute spell full of goal involvements. 

In the 66th minute, Leeds put together an excellent free-flowing move. Having progressed up to the box, Vincent played a clever pass to Coban Bird down the wing and he chipped the ball up to the back post, where Gorman was free to head home and make it three. 

Just a minute later, Gorman turned provider. After quickly winning the ball back from Stoke’s kick-off, he threaded a pass through to Vincent who struck low and left-footed with a first time attempt, beyond Houston to make it four!

Gardner’s side were now well on top and looking for more. A sustained spell of pressure in and around the area of the hosts allowed Brown to play the ball to his right for Gorman, who took a touch before smashing in right-footed to make it five. 

Leeds were aiming for more and showing their ruthlessness in front of goal, meaning they found sixth just a few minutes later. Stoke tried to play out and were caught out, allowing Brown to complete his hat-trick with another close-range poachers finish. 

A nine-minute spell which saw the visitors score four times had put the game out of reach for the Potters and in doing so, secured an excellent opening day three points for the Whites.  

Next up for Leeds is a home clash against Liverpool, who also won their opening day fixture. The Reds will arrive at Thorp Arch with confdience, having scored four times in their victory over Nottingham Forest. 

FULL TIME: Stoke City 1-6 Leeds United